Niger Delta

STEM: Shell Equips 120 Students With Innovative Skills

Published

8 years ago

July 11, 2018

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited has equipped over 120 young Nigerian students and their teachers across 12 schools in Lagos and Rivers States with a diverse range of tools and problem-solving skills to address the complex challenges affecting the food-water-energy nexus and its linkages.
The schools include, Archdeacon Brown Education Centre, Woji; Bloombreed High School, Elelenwo; Brookstone Secondary School, Rukpokwu; Bishop Crowder Memorial Secondary School, Elelenwo; Jephthah Comprehensive College, East-West Road; and Oginigba Community Comprehensive School, Oginigba; all in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, among others.
Speaking at the NXplorers Exhibition organized to showcase the innovative projects of the students in Port Harcourt, last Monday, under its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education initiative, Shell’s General Manager, External Relations, Igo Weli, said that the company has in the last eight months taken the smart students and their teachers through a wide spectrum of opportunities to solve local challenges with global impact.
Weli, who was represented by Manager, Social Performance, Sub-Sahara Africa, Emmanuel Anyim, said that “through the NXPlorers programme, we are inspiring young people to pursue STEM and empowering them to develop solutions through well-thought through processes”, adding that, “we are trying to strengthen the culture of innovation in Nigeria and show the youth that often times, the solution is within reach.”
He said that following a rigorous training session during which the students were put through the NXPlorers methodology, the students were able to harness the tools and use them to think through local and global issues by working on projects that aim to provide solutions, in part or in full to challenges faced in the Niger Delta.
“Increasingly, as the world population grows, there is a global challenge to food, water and energy which are tightly interlinked. Water is necessary for food production just as it is instrumental for the food supply and value chain. Energy on the other hand is required to produce and distribute water and food; and for processing and transportation of food. These challenges do not have set solutions but they look to sustainable innovations to change the narrative,” Weli explained, adding that NXPlorers provides the complex solutions through creativity and innovation.
Weli noted that, “young people have the capability to create positive movements for change,” pointing out that, “the possibilities and ever-increasing opportunities in the STEM world are endless”, and challenged parents and other corporate entities to join Shell to point the students in the right direction by using available resources judiciously to make a huge difference in their lives.
In their goodwill messages, representatives of Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) and British Council, Kpekot Atemie and Uchechi Awaraka, respectively, lauded Shell for the initiative to focus the students’ attention on developing innovative skills that would enable them find workable solutions to the complex problems facing the people of the Niger Delta, particularly in the areas of food-water-energy and value chain with a view to making life sustainable and brighter for posterity.
In his Lead Presentation exploring the issues around the theme for this year’s World Environment Day: “Beat Plastic Pollution”, as a trigger to connect the students to the missing nexus, Senior Research Adviser, Environmental Team, SPDC, Prof Arthur Esaaghah, reminded the students of the tasks ahead of them in finding effective solutions to the challenges posed by plastic pollution in the states of the coastal region.
Esaaghah drew attention of the students to the alarming death tolls in marine lives annually as a result of plastic pollution, pointing out that in the next couple of years, the quantum of plastics in the ocean would exceed the number of fishes, and warned that with the lifespan of plastics running into over a 1000 years and the poisonous consequences to humans and marine lives, it was expedient for the students to find alternative ways to drastically reduce reliance on plastics in the lives of people in the Niger Delta.
In her remarks, Shell’s Social Performance Manager, Gloria Udoh said that the exhibition provides an opportunity for credible testimonies on the capacity of the STEM students to explore their potential for creative and innovative ideas that could change the future for the better, and charged them to think and probe deeper to find efficient solutions to the people’s daunting challenges in solving the complex problems in the food-water-energy nexus.

Nelson Chukwudi

Niger Delta

24 Nigerian Universities Make 2026 THE Rankings … 4 S’South Versitieis Pull Through

Published

4 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

Nigeria has recorded its strongest-ever outing in global university rankings, with 24 institutions earning places in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings and Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings.

However, only four universities from the South-South geopolitical zone made the prestigious list.

The South-South institutions that secured places in the rankings are Delta State University, Abraka (12th), University of Benin (22nd), University of Calabar (23rd), and University of Port Harcourt (24th).

The rankings, which represent Nigeria’s highest-ever participation, reinforces the country’s growing influence in higher education across Sub-Saharan Africa, with 24 universities listed, up from 21 in both the 2024 and 2025 editions.

The University of Ibadan retained its position as Nigeria’s highest-ranked institution, followed by the University of Lagos, while Bayero University, Kano, emerged as the third-best performing university in the country.

Of the 24 institutions, 17 are federal universities, four are state-owned, and three are private universities, reflecting broad improvements in teaching, research, and institutional performance across the country’s tertiary education sector.

The rankings also underscore the growing global recognition of Nigeria’s specialised universities of technology and agriculture, while state-owned institutions continue to improve their academic profiles through enhanced research output and governance reforms.

The full list of Nigeria’s universities in the 2026 THE rankings are: University of Ibadan; University of Lagos; Bayero University, Kano; Covenant University; Landmark University; Ahmadu Bello University; Federal University of Technology, Minna; University of Ilorin; University of Jos; University of Nigeria; Babcock University; and Delta State University, Abraka.

Others are: Ekiti State University; Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Federal University of Technology, Akure; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Federal University, Oye-Ekiti; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology; Lagos State University; Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Obafemi Awolowo University; University of Benin; University of Calabar; and University of Port Harcourt.

The rankings highlight both Nigeria’s expanding presence on the global academic stage and the need for greater investment in higher education across regions, particularly in the South-South, where only four universities made the country’s top 24 list.

Niger Delta

‘Ogbolo ’26’: Bayelsa Community Revives Heritage, Strengthens Unity

Published

4 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The Ogu Community in Otubo-Atissa, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has stated its commitment to preserving its culture, peace and community development through the celebration of the annual “Uge Adiafa” New Yam Festival, tagged “Ogbolo ’26.”

Held at St. John’s Primary School Field, Ogu, the colourful festival served not only as the traditional commencement of the yam harvest season, but also as a tribute to the community’s illustrious son and founder of the Uge Adiafa Festival, His Majesty, Late King Fedrick Aduku Simangi Ogbotom-Edede IV.

The celebration brought together sons and daughters of the community, traditional rulers, academics, youths and other guests in a display of thanksgiving, cultural performances and renewed communal solidarity.

Addressing the gathering, the traditional head of the community, HRH Bishop Akuegbe Paul, expressed delight at the massive turnout, describing the festival as a symbol of thanksgiving to God, cultural identity and unity among the people.

He noted that beyond celebrating a successful farming season, the festival honours the enduring legacy of the late monarch, whose vision established the Uge Adiafa Festival as a platform for preserving the community’s rich cultural heritage and promoting peaceful coexistence.

Guest of Honour, Professor Nedie Patience Akani, of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, commended the community for embracing reconciliation and unity.

Professor Akani, who is of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, of the university and a daughter of the soil, said, “This is my first time attending this New Yam Festival. I came because of the good things happening in this community.

“Before now, there were quarrels in the community, with court cases here and there, brother fighting against brother. But today, God has united us. It is a wonderful thing to be united because where there is no unity, there can be no progress in the home, family or community.

“I thank the head of Ogu Community, HRH, Bishop Akuege Paul, for making today’s celebration a reality”, she stated.

The event also featured inter-compound cultural competitions, with Yenikabu II Compound emerging overall winner, while Bongata Compound and Abrima Compound finished first d second runners-up respectively.

Also, eleven Compound Chiefs alongside their respective Head Compound Women Chiefs were coronated. The Woman Chief of Ogu Community, HH, Dare Tiebiri and her Deputy, Chief Stella Jordan Mark, were also coronated.

Dignitaries that graced the occasion included the Ebenanawei of Akamabubu Kingdom, Southern Ijaw LGA, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, HRM, King J. Olotu Erepamo; the Paramount Ruler, Ikibiri Community, Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State, HRH, Barrister Morris Lagos; and the Ebeni-Isisibo of Atissa Kingdom, HRH, God’swill Arab Simeon.

Other are: the Ebeni-Otubo, Atissa Kingdom, HRH, Sir Anderson J. Olumo, and his wife, Mrs. Tarila Anderson Olumo; the Deputy Head of Ogu Community, HH, Mission Obugu, and wife of the Ebeni-Ibe of Atissa Kingdom, Mrs. Diemeze Victor Awala.

For the people of Ogu, the festival was more than a celebration of the first harvest, it underscored the importance of preserving cultural traditions, strengthening communal bonds, promoting reconciliation and passing cherished values from one generation to another, while also ensuring that the legacy of their forebears continue to inspire future generations.

Niger Delta

SEEPCO Collaborates Delta, Others In Voluntary Blood Donation Campaign

Published

4 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) has partnered the Delta State Government, Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society to promote voluntary blood donation as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s blood supply and save lives.

The initiative, which forms part of SEEPCO’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for its host communities, aligns with activities marking the 2026 World Blood Donor Day with the theme, “One Drop of Humanity: Give Blood, Save Lives.”

The campaign was conducted across Delta State’s three senatorial districts — Asaba, Ughelli and Warri — where stakeholders sensitised residents on the importance of voluntary, regular and unpaid blood donation as the most sustainable means of ensuring adequate blood supply for healthcare facilities.

The exercise followed a similar campaign in Lagos State, where SEEPCO, in partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, mobilised about 550 pints of blood within two days.

VCDF also highlighted the steady growth of its annual blood donation drive, with the number of donors increasing from 98 in 2022 to 147 in 2023, 268 in 2024 and 341 in 2025.

Before the Delta campaign, the foundation had recorded a cumulative total of 1,404 voluntary donors, a feat that earned it the Blood Donation Champion Award from the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service.

At the Central Hospital, Ughelli, the hospital’s management and Blood Transfusion Committee commended SEEPCO, VCDF, the Delta State Ministry of Health and other partners for supporting initiatives aimed at improving access to safe blood for patients.

Speaking during the campaign, Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, described voluntary blood donation as critical to responding to public health emergencies and saving lives during accidents, childbirth and other medical emergencies.

He said: “Voluntary blood donation is important for public health emergencies and to save lives during accidents and childbirth. We are deeply grateful to VCDF and its partners for their commitment to promoting voluntary blood donation and supporting life-saving healthcare initiatives.”

Participants said the awareness campaign had increased public understanding of the importance of blood donation, with many first-time donors expressing willingness to become regular donors after learning about the safety, benefits and life-saving impact of donating blood.

Stakeholders also stressed the need for sustained public enlightenment, noting that a single blood donation could save multiple lives, as the campaign recorded impressive community participation across the three senatorial districts.