Sylvester Idowu in Warri
Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), Rick Kennedy has said that the Annual Awokoya Memorial Chemistry Competition, which was initiated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd./Chevron Joint Venture to promote the study of chemistry among secondary school students in the country, was achieving its objectives.
Kennedy made the observation during the award presentation of the 2023 edition, held at the Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun in Uvwie local government area, Delta state.
He assured that the NNPC and Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) will continue to invest and support education in the country.
The Stephen Awokoya Foundation for Science Education is a charitable, non-profit making organisation, with th primary objective of promoting science education in Nigerian institutions of higher learning.
Kennedy, who was represented by CNL’s Senior Government Affairs Advisor, Mr Olujide Abimbola, said the company’s belief was that education remained a veritable tool for fostering self-worth, social growth and sustainable development.
He said that the company’s contributions to education were helping to improve the ability of Nigeria to develop quality manpower in different fields of human endeavour including the oil and gas industry.
“This 2023 award ceremony of the Awokoya Memorial Competition in Chemistry is particularly of great importance as it demonstrates the support of the NNPCL/CNL JV, the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) and the Delta State Government.
“The Awokoya Chemistry Competition was initiated to promote the study of the subject among secondary school students and in memory of Prof. Stephen Awokoya, a great chemist who died on March 15, 1985.
“Since 1992 till date, the NNPCL/CNL JV is honoured to have been the sole sponsor of the competition in Delta State.
“It might interest you to know that over 400 students from 24 out of the 25 local government areas in Delta State participated in this year’s competition which demonstrate great interest in the subject of chemistry.
“In this year’s National Chemistry Competition, the winners in the Delta State competition came 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively,” he said.
He said that findings had revealed that all the past awardees proceeded to further their studies in science-related disciplines at the University level both locally and internationally.
He added that the remarkable achievement has motivated the NNPCL/CNL JV over the years to continue to invest and support quality education through provision of education infrastructure, sponsorship of manpower development programs and provision of scholarship.
Chairman, CSN, Delta State chapter, Mr. Koida Owate thanked Chevron for its all-time sponsorship of the programme adding that it had led to outstanding performance of students.
Delta State Commissioner for Education (Basic and Secondary) Mrs Rose Ezewu, who was represented by Mrs Asiru Vera, urged other organisations to emulate CNL/ CSN, noting that education is the bedrock for the development of any society.
