The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria has been commended for being the first of six universities benefiting from the Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL) Universities Partnering Programme (UPP) to produce a geological map (sheet 152 Gombe).
Mrs. Gloria Essien-Danner, Executive Director, Public and Government Affairs for Esso, praised the university while commissioning equipment worth N50 million endowed by the organisation, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, in conjunction with NNPC and SNEPCO.
She praised the university for preparing the high-resolution map which was one of the prerequisites for receiving the NNPC/ESSO grant. She pointed out that the last time a map project of similar nature was embarked on was in 1964.
"It gladdens my heart to formally commission this project. Prospecting for oil is directly related to courses like Geology. We decided to embark on this project because we do not want our children to be at a disadvantage when they meet with students from other countries" she said.
The equipment, including a 30KVA generator, inverters, a Toyota Hiace minibus, digital cameras, and other field equipment valued at N50 million, were specifically made to the institution’s Geology Department.
Mrs. Essien-Danner further presented a cheque of N1,050,000 to ABU’s Geology Department to boost lecturers’ field allowances.
Formally receiving the donations on behalf of the university, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, expressed his sincere appreciation for the concern NNPC/ESSO has shown to the development of education in Nigeria.
"The investment you have made to the university is highly commendable. I commend your foresight and commitment to partner with the university in developing the study of Geology in ABU and in supporting education in Nigeria in general" he said.
The UPP is aimed at funding geological field work programme in selected Nigerian Universities as a means of impacting and improving the quality of Geology graduates from Nigerian universities.
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