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Scholarships Based On Merit, PTDF Declares
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has said that its scholarships were being awarded strictly on merit in line with the Federal Character regulations.
According to the PTDF, equal numbers of scholarships were awarded to each state, with additional slots made available for the oil-producing states.
The Executive Secretary of PTDF, Dr Bello Gusau, said this in an interview with newsmen, yesterday, in Abuja.
No fewer than 9,659 Nigerians had been trained on PTDF’s overseas and in-country scholarships since its inception.
Explaining the rationale for the action, PTDF said the merit-based selection was done to ensure fairness, equity and fair play in the scholarship allocations.
Gusau explained that additional slots were also made available for the best female candidate from each geopolitical zone.
As for people with disabilities, he said every effort was made to ensure that physically challenged candidates were provided with accessibility facilities to enable them to participate in the selection process at no disadvantage.
He said in 2022, under the fund’s In-Country Scholarship Scheme, the PTDF provided scholarships to 19 undergraduates and one Master’s degree award to Persons Living with Disabilities.
In order to monitor the progress of beneficiaries of PTDF grants in local and foreign institutions, he said awardees’ schools (supervisors) were required to forward regular progress reports.
He further said that scholars falling below the required standards were at risk of having their scholarships revoked.
Gusau added that regular monitoring visits were conducted by the fund’s staff members to have a first-hand assessment of the scholars’ progress and general welfare.
On remarkable contributions made in the development of the petroleum sector since its establishment, he highlighted some of its contributions going by the mandate of the fund.
He said the fund had provided scholarships, wholly and partially, to successful master’s and PhD applicants that undertook petroleum-related courses.
The PTDF boss said the fund had also made available suitable endowments to deserving Nigerian universities under the fund’s endowment programme.
As part of the mandate of the fund, he said, PTDF had provided suitable books and journals through its Strategic Planning and Documentation Department.
“The fund provides training to major stakeholders in the industry, including staff of Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
“It also provides training to the Training Institute, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd., National Oil Spill Detection and Recovery Agency, union leaders of PENGASSAN and NUPENG and other stakeholders in the oil and gas industry.
“The training is designed for participants to acquire new skills and techniques to improve their effectiveness and efficiency in the performance of their jobs,” he said.
Gusau further said that the fund had provided support to Nigerian university lecturers under its University Lecturers’ Skills Enhancement Training Programme.
“Under the programme, lecturers from selected oil and gas-related departments of Nigerian universities are sponsored to undergo training programmes in the UK and French universities with a view to exposing them to global best practices,” he added.
Speaking on the fund’s quest for creating the necessary synergy among stakeholders in the industry, he said PTDF had over the years built strategic collaboration with key stakeholders.
He listed such stakeholders as the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society; the National Association of Petroleum Explorationists, and the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
Others listed included the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Association of Indigenous Petroleum Explorers and Producers, amongst others.
“PTDF does this by supporting the associations through financial/material support in their conferences, seminars, and printing of journals”.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.