Chevron, Co-venturers commission another Hybrid Library in Bayelsa

Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited, a company owned by Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL and its Co-venturers in Agbami Field on Tuesday November 22, commissioned another Hybrid Library in Central Epie Community Secondary School, Opolo, Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Fresh Angle International can report.

Our Editorial Assistant/Special Projects report that the commissioning is coming on the heels of a similar exercise which took place in Ubeji, Warri, Delta State on Wednesday November 16.

Speaking shortly before the commissioning, The Director Deepwater and Production Sharing Contracts, Mr. Jeffrey Ewing, noted that the provision of the Hybrid library is to improve the reading, research and information technology culture among the students, adding that they are of the view that education is the key to unlocking the potentials of the youth, as well as developing them for societal benefit.

Mr. Ewing who was represented by Mr. Michael Kabi, while explaining that the Agbami Field co-venturers comprise of Famfa Oil Limited, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Statoil Nigeria Limited and Petroleo Brasileiro Nigeria Limited, averred that several other projects have been executed by them in Bayelsa comprising the construction and equipping of a medical laboratory in Niger Delta University, Amassoma; construction and equipping of a functional tuberculosis diagnostic chest clinic centre at Igbogene, as well as several other ongoing and completed projects spread across the country.

Right- Left: (3rd Left) Mr. Michael Kabi presenting the documents of the Library to the Principal of Central Epie Secondary School, Opolo, Yenagoa, Chief Matthias K. Banigo, while the Permanent Secretary, Dr. (Mrs.) Alice Atuwo supports him & others  cheer

The Director disclosed that for the library project to have succeeded, it took additional partnership from the Bayelsa State Ministry of Education, the Management of Central Epie Community Secondary School, Opolo, as well as the Old Students’ Association who ensured its completion.  

Mr. Ewing while elaborating on  their achievements, noted that Chevron and Agbama Field co-venturers have instituted more than 15, 000 educational scholarships across Nigeria for medical, nursing, laboratory sciences and engineering students. He quipped that 122 of out of that number graduated with First Class, while a total of 595 of the scholarship beneficiaries are Bayelsans, urged them to manage the library facility effectively.

Speaking in the same vein, The Group General Manager, GGM of National Petroleum Investment Scheme, NAPIMS, Mr. Dafe Sejebor who was represented by Mrs. Mema Ogor, said the library was donated to support government’s effort in educational development and advised on the judicious use of the library.

Likewise the GGM of FAMFA Oil Limited, Mr. Modupe Alakija who was represented by Mr. Obinna Iheonu, noted that they were just fulfilling their Social Responsibility through the implementation of beneficial projects aimed at improving access to quality education and healthcare across the country.

While the GGM of PETROBRAS represented by Mrs. Meg Irozuru, quipped that they aligned themselves with Co-venturers so that Nigerians have access to technical skills, quality education and employment opportunities, noted that E-learning is technology driven, the fastest growing platform for teaching and learning globally, holds the key to the country’s development.

3^rd left: Principal of Central Epie Secondary School, Opolo, Yenagoa, Chief Matthias K. Banigo, Mrs. Nkechi Ezenwa, Mrs. Meg Irozuru, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Alice Atuwo, performing the commissioning ceremony of the library, Mr. Michael Kabi, Mrs. Mema Ogor, Mrs. Elizabeth Allagoa & others watch

Whereas the GGM of STATOIL represented by Mrs. Nkechi Ezenwa, noted that education is their Corporate Social Responsibility and they are committed to ensuring qualitative education in Nigeria through specialized educational scholarship programmes, to support healthcare and manpower development through targeted support for medical and engineering students.

Speaking also, Bayelsa State Commissioner of Education, Deacon Markson Fefegha, while commending Chevron and its Co-venturers for the Hybrid Library, noted that there are not many libraries available in the country and appealed for the provision of more libraries across the country stating that it affects teaching and learning.

The Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Alice Atuwo, charged the School’s management as well as the teachers and students to put the library to good and proper use, asked them to send across a teacher that will be trained in the State Library to become a librarian, noted that their demand for dependable security will be relayed to the Commissioner of Education.

A cross section of the Central Epie Secondary School, Opolo, Yenagoa, their benefactor and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education after the commissioning of the Hybrid Library

Speaking earlier, the Principal of Central Epie Secondary School, Opolo, Yenagoa, Chief Matthias K. Banigo while lauding Chevron and Co-venturers for the donated library, requested that the Commissioner of Education should provide a dependable security for the school so that the library facility is safe, added that the school is in dire need of proper flooring as the swampy water-log area cause the teachers and students to sustain serious injuries when they fall, quipped that there is a need for proper fencing of the school compound for better control of the students and whoever comes or go out of the school.

Speaking in the same vein, the Senior Prefect of the school, Master Joshua Stanley while thanking his benefactors, appealed to the Commissioner of Education for what he termed ‘‘ vital facilities’’ such as school field, fencing of the school, renovation of the dilapidated class rooms and construction of a school hall.

(2nd Left) The Senior Prefect, Master Joshua Stanley making the demands while others listen with rapt attention

Meanwhile Our Correspondent gathered that the Library Project was managed by Enterprise for Development International, EfDI, Lagos and constructed by Tiamoni Enterprise Limited both Local Contractors.

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