Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), recently, at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) commissioned a $2 million NLNG/UNN Engineering Laboratory donated to the institution as part of the company’s $12 million University Support Programme (USP).
NLNG’s USP was launched in 2014 to help develop engineering education capacity in the country.
The centre is the fifth of six world class science/engineering laboratories donated by the company. NLNG has so far commissioned the Ahmadu Bello University Multi-user Engineering Laboratory, University of Ibadan Engineering Complex, NLNG Centre for Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Engineering at University of Port Harcourt, and the NLNG Engineering Research Centre at the University of Ilorin under its USP scheme. The sixth and last project at the University of Maiduguri is completed and ready for commissioning.
Present among others at the well-attended event were the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo; the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, represented by Dr C.N. Agulana; NLNG management; members of the University Council led by Professor Benjamin Ozumba, UNN Vice Chancellor; Chairman and representative of the State Council of Chiefs and other dignitaries.
In his keynote address, Tony Attah, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, who was represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Sadeeq Mai-Bornu, said: “At Nigeria LNG, driven by the need to take decisive action, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the University Support Programme (USP) in 2013, to provide structured support to the development of ‘Research and Scholarship’ in the country by investing $12 million in 6 universities across Nigeria i.e. one in each geopolitical zone.
“The project strategic vision in addition to supporting teaching and research aspires to help produce and unleash the next generation of Nigerian engineers who themselves are crucial to the future development of Nigeria. This vision and NLNG’s belief in Nigeria is reflected in the fact that we run a successful world class global company from Nigeria, operated and headed by a workforce that is 95% indigenous and a senior management team which is entirely Nigerian.
“We are pleased to report that we have completed all the projects and commissioned four, with today marking the fifth and semi-final event. Significantly also, we learnt that UNN currently has nearly 100 research groups and projects operational within the university community across faculties, departments and focus groups. This suggests that the USP facilities here have been delivered to what one might call a natural home. We shall be observing closely to see that this expectation is realised and sustained as fully as possible,” he added.
Governor Uwuanyi, in his address, commended NLNG, saying “it is a true affirmation of the value that NLNG places on its corporate social responsibility. Some may have the wealth and the potentials of authority, and yet not have the heart to spread it around. To the MD and the entire NLNG team, I say thank you.”
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Benjamin Ozumba, also joined in the commendation, stating “we particularly laud NLNG for the unique interest and commitment that they have shown to ensure the successful implementation of the Memorandum of Agreement. You have done everything to actualise this dream. We thank NLNG for the USP initiative and for the inclusion of UNN.”
The NLNG Engineering Research Laboratory at UNN includes a Civil Engineering, Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Laboratory, Agriculture and Bio-resources Engineering Laboratory, Electrical Engineering Lab, Electronics and a computer-aided design laboratory fully equipped with digital equipment. .
The six universities under the University Support Programme were selected based on rankings by the National Universities Commission (NUC), other international bodies, as well as long standing contributions to the development of local capacity in Nigeria and their outstanding performance within each of the six geopolitical zones in the country, especially in the area of engineering and technical education.
The USP programme is one of NLNG’s interventions in education. The company administers a scholarship programme that covers secondary school, undergraduate and overseas post-graduate studies. The scholarship has benefited some 3000 Nigerian students.
Nigeria LNG Limited is the most significant arrow-head of the federal government’s quest to eliminate gas flaring and derive value from the country’s 187 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves.
A statement issued by General Manager (External Relations), Dr Kudo Eresia-Eke explained that NLNG is owned by four shareholders, namely, the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC (49%), Shell Gas BV, SGBV, (25.6%), Total LNG Nigeria Limited (15%), and Eni International (N.A,) N. V. S. a. r. l (10.4%).
Caption: (L-R) General Manager, External Relations (NLNG), Kudo Eresia-Eke; Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Professor Benjamin Ozumba; Deputy Managing Director (NLNG), Sadeeq Mai-Bornu; and Deputy Governor, Enugu State, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo being briefed on engineering research equipment during the commissioning of the NLNG/UNN Engineering Laboratories under NLNG’s University Support Programme (USP)…recently.
