24 varsities receive ExxonMobil geoscience capacity boost

As part of it developmental efforts to improve the quality of Geoscience Education in Nigerian universities, ExxonMobil subsidiary, Esso Exploration & Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL), in production sharing contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its co-venturer on the OML 133, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO), has built and equipped Geoscience workrooms to 24 Universities in Nigeria at a total cost of over N7 Billion under its University Assistance Programme (UAP).

Mike Udoh, General Manager, Operations & Technical Geoscience of ExxonMobil while speaking at the official opening ceremony for the Geoscience Workroom donated to Akwa Ibom State University, IkotAkpadem recently, said the gesture was in furtherance of ExxonMobil’s commitment to improving the quality of Geoscience Education in Nigerian universities.

Among the equipment donated, according to Udoh, are 4 High-end Precision Dual Core Dell Work Stations, 8 Flat Screen 24” Monitors, 1 External Hard Drive, 1 3com 16 Ports Switch, 1 HP Design Jet plotter, 1 Desktop Office computer complete with 19” flat screen, 1 Desktop printer, as well as a 30 KVA Power Generator to support the effective use of the Workroom.

Udoh disclosed that Schlumberger had partnered with ExxonMobil on the project by providing the software for the equipment donated, among which was the Petrel Interpretation Package, while some of the Geoscience lecturers had been trained on the use of the machines for Geological evaluations.

He further said the total cost of building and equipping each Geoscience workroom was about N300 Million, which includes the cost of construction, furnishing, hardware, software and training among others.

According to him, “The expectation is that there will be a marked improvement in the quality of Geoscience graduates from this university”, adding that he looked forward to Geoscience students from Akwa Ibom State University participating and winning in both local and international Geoscience competitions as a result of the new equipment.

In addition, he said ExxonMobil recently introduced the UAP Lecture Series “to share the rich practical knowledge of our professionals with Geoscience students as well as acquaint them with some of the latest advances in the field”, adding that Akwa Ibom State University was among the 16 beneficiary-universities under the first phase which ended this month.

“These UAP programs are complemented by our University Partnering Programme (UPP), another initiative we started in 2006 to improve the quality of Geoscience education in Nigeria by providing the relevant equipment, a bus per university, logistics and financial support for geological fieldwork in the Nigerian university system”.

Udoh said ExxonMobil had invested over N9.2 Billion on the two programmes for the Nigerian university system, adding that the UPP has also led to the publication of 17 geological maps of different locations in Nigeria by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA).

Eno James Ibanga, Vice Chancellor of the University, expressed appreciation to ExxonMobil for the investment, noting that the Workroom would introduce the much needed practicality to the theoretical instructions the students receive.

On his part, Udeme Udofia, special adviser to the governor on Education, who represented the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Education commended ExxonMobil for the Workroom and equipment donated and pledged the continued support of the State government for such initiatives that would assist the State in its industrialisation drive.

The Head of Department of Geology at Akwa Ibom State University, Clement Bassey, thanked ExxonMobil for the donation, noting that the organization’s support was instrumental to the accelerated accreditation of the course by the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC).

KELECHI EWUZIE