Belemaoil Splashes N45m Yearly Scholarship for Children of Fallen Heroes

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

A leading Indigenous oil company in the Niger Delta, Belemaoil Producing Ltd, has announced the award of yearly Scholarship worth over N45 million to 300 children of fallen heroes of the Nigerian Army in the Niger Delta and the North-east.

Founder/President of Belemaoil Producing Ltd, Mr. Jack-Rich Tein Jr, announced the scholarship award at the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Building of 16 Brigade Command of the Nigerian Army, named Camp Buratai, in Yenagoa.

He explained that the 300 children of the fallen heroes of the Nigerian Army would benefit N150,000 each annually within the duration of the scholarship scheme.

He said the gesture was in appreciation of the effort of the soldiers who laid down their lives for the security, peace and unity of Nigeria.

Tein pointed out that it is important for Belemaoil and the corporate community to be part of projects that would motivate and encourage the Nigerian Army.

His words: “It’s a great honour for our humble selves to be here today with us and this is the second project that Belemaoil is being part of with the 16 Brigade; the last was a 100-bed hostel space at Elele. My mission here today will not be complete until I be part of those appreciating the efforts of the fallen heroes and fortunately I heard him (Commander of 16 Brigade) talked about programme for the widows.

“I thought it is important for Belemaoil and the corporate community of this great country to be part of this project that will motivate and encourage the Nigerian Army. I, on behalf of my company hereby pronounce the award of 300 scholarships at N150,000 each amounting to N45 million per annum for the service men and women that pay the ultimate price in the North-east and in the Niger Delta. I will be very happy to have all the details worked out to making sure this project goes.”

He said Belemaoil has also taken over the construction of 30 units Corporal Below Quarters at the site of the 16 Brigade Army Command, Yenagoa.

He said the initiative was in appreciation of excellent security services being rendered by the Nigerian Army especially the Joint Military Taskforce in the company’s areas of operation.

“Belemaoil has decided to take over the construction of 30 units Corporal Below quarters for the Camp Buratai and to demonstrate the love that has brought us together within Bayelsa and Rivers State, and also the super-excellent services that have been rendered by the Nigerian Army, especially the JTF in our area of operations, we make sure that before today and Friday, the cash amounting to N116.3 million is paid into the account so this project can start tomorrow.

“I want to use this window to say to all the corporate players in this great country and also in this part of the world, Bayelsa State, not to take their eyes off in supporting the Nigerian military. And I believe strongly that the military are here for you all Bayelsans to network, for you to have access to relationship and to have new friends.

“I want to thank us all, I want to thank the Governor of Bayelsa State for taking the bold step by making this parcel of land available for this historic project. Our door is open to more support and partnerships between Bayelsa State, projects for the military and other government functionaries,” he said.

He described the Chief of Army Staff as hardworking, humble and compassionate man that is committed to tackling insecurity in Nigeria.

“I also want to thank the service men and women that paid the ultimate price in north eastern part of this country for the unification and security of this great country,” he said.

In his address, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Tukur Buratai expressed appreciation to the Founder/President of Belemaoil Producing Ltd, Mr. Jack-Rich Tein Jr, for donating a block of 30 flats at the site of the 16 Brigade Command as residential area for the families of soldiers.

He said the housing project by Belemaoil would assist in addressing part of the immediate accommodation needs of the Brigade.

“Let me at this point appreciate Mr. Jack-Rich Tein Jr, President of Belemaoil for identifying with the Brigade and indeed the Nigerian Army by donating a Block of 30 mini-flats for soldiers families. This project will go a long way in addressing part of the immediate accommodation needs for the Brigade,” he said.

In his remarks, the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, acknowledged the role of Tein Jr in promoting communal peace and stability as well as his sustained support for the Nigerian Military.

He said Bayelsa State government needed more captains of industry to do what Belemaoil is doing in the state.

Dickson said, “Let me appreciate the President of Belemaoil who has been doing big businesses and making good money in this state and around this area. You have done very well for the military, I have heard the good works about the way you are running your company and promoting communal peace and stability. This state also needs your support. We need more captains of industry to do what Belemaoil has just announced and I want to thank you all and solicit for collaboration and support for this brigade and indeed for all arms of our nation’s security services in the state”.

Highpoint of the event was the planting of a tree at the site of the 16 Brigade Command in commemoration of the Camp Buratai by Tein, while Buratai also presented a plaque to the Founder/President of Belemaoil Producing Ltd as a friend of the Nigerian Army and in recognition of his sustained support for the military.