Dayo Adesulu
04 October 2012, Sweetcrude, Lagos – Ten Nigerians have been awarded ESSO/NNPC International Post- Graduate scholarships for studies in engineering and geosciences disciplines in schools located in the UK and the US, Mr Jide Ayo-Vaughan, Executive Director, EEPNL has said.
Speaking at this year’s award ceremony held in Lagos,Vaughan noted that the 10 beneficiaries have already secured admissions to study different engineering-related courses in various universities abroad, adding; “The scholarship award covers full payment for tuition, accommodation and other fees as specified by the respective institutions, as well as provisions for personal upkeep.”
The 10 awardees include, Oyewunmi Oyeniyi, Oyedele Akinola, Aremu Oluwaseye, Adautin Charles, Okuwobi Oluwatosin. Others are: Omoya Olanrewaju, Okoroafor Kelechi, Aigiomawu Obehi, Momodu Momohsani and Agbarakwe Uchenna.The awardees are first class and second class upper division engineering graduates from different institutions across the country.
According to Ayo-Vaughan, the purpose of the scholarship is to help build the capacities of young and brilliant Nigerians in order to boost the pool of qualified manpower for career opportunities in the country’s oil and gas industry, noting that the gesture was in line with the company’s philosophy of corporate social responsibility, whereby it contributes substantially to the development of the society.
He said that since the inception of its international post-graduate scholarship scheme, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL), an affiliate of ExxonMobil, in production sharing contract with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has awarded a total of 100 scholarships to deserving Nigerian students.
Vaughan pointed out that the 10 awardees of this year make a total of 100 Nigerians who have been sponsored for international post-graduate studies in engineering and geosciences disciplines in schools located in the UK and US.
The Executive Director who also used the occasion to counsel the beneficiaries to justify the confidence the company reposed in them, urged them to display good conduct and academic excellence at the end of their Master’s degree programmes.
On the screening and selection process, Mr. Udom Inoyo, the Executive
Director, Mobil Producing Nigeria and In-Country HR Manager, who was involved in every stage of the process, said the selection was transparent and rigorous. He disclosed that it was not an easy task for the 10 beneficiaries to emerge as winners due to the fact that about 10,000 applications were received.
