NNPC promises to raise living standards of Nigerians, develop communities.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, on Wednesday, said that it is working on a number of initiatives that would help develop communities around the country, improve the lives of Nigerians and help prepare youths to cope with the challenges of an increasingly difficult world. Speaking at the grand finale of the 2016 NNPC Annual National Quiz Competition, Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, also stated the corporation will not relent in its support for community-based efforts aimed at promoting education and youth development.

Kachikwu, who was represented by Group Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Corporate Services of the NNPC, Mr. Isa Inuwa, reiterated the commitment of the corporation towards the execution of many more strategic community development projects, particularly those that it believes would rapidly improve the lives of Nigerians. “Going forward, we plan to revamp our channels of engagement with our publics over education and other engagement on the basis of ensuring values and positive impact. In this regard, therefore, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Division is working on other initiatives that again would help develop our communities and preparing the young ones for the challenges of an increasingly difficult world,” Kachikwu explained. At the quiz competition, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), represented by Anyacho Sopuruchukwu of Government Science Secondary School, Maitama; Aniagoh William and Nwokolo David, both from Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, emerged winner of the competition. Akwa Ibom, represented by Uwakmfon Joseph Utuk, Brown Faith Christopher and Udoh Favour Monday, from Pegasus High School Eket, Government Secondary School, Afaha Eket and Airforce Comprehensive School, respectively, emerged the first runner-up, while Lagos State emerged the second runner-up and was represented by Ganiyu Olayinka, Joseph Samuel and Ijezie Collins Ifeanyi, from Brainfiel Schools, Salolo, Lagos, Abibat Mogaji Millennium Senior School, Agege and FESTAC Senior College, Amuwo Odofin, FESTAC, Lagos, respectively. Also speaking at the event, Minister of Education, Mr. Adamu Adamu, commended the NNPC for the courage to organize and sustain this competition at various levels, while he stated that in today’s knowledge-driven society, countries that are making giant development strides are those that have embraced science and technology innovations, through focused and committed work in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. Adamu, who was represented by the Head, Science and Technology Department of the Ministry, Mrs. Tina Eyaro, argued that science and technology is a vital channel for national development, adding that the development of science and technology in the world has created a lot of positive changes that has affected the economic, social and political lives of nations. He said, “The poor economic performance of many countries in sub-Saharan Africa is due to the poor application of science, technology and innovation. “Let me emphasis that technology transfer from the advanced countries to developing countries is not possible. We must therefore, strengthen STEM education so as to accelerate the production of a highly qualified and skilled workforce that can leverage domestic and foreign investment in the key sectors of Nigeria’s economy. “We must develop a pool of competent scientists, engineers, technologists and innovators to support, in particular, the development of key sectors that can create jobs and make our graduates competitive globally.” -Vanguard