Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has completed one of its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, the University Support Programme (USP), with the commissioning of the sixth $2 million engineering laboratory at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID).
The company in a statement said it has spent $12 million since 2014 on constructing, renovating and equipping six world class engineering laboratories in six universities in each geo-political zone of the country.
Engineering laboratories already commissioned under the programme include 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, the NLNG Engineering Research Centre at the University of Ilorin, and the NLNG/University of Nigeria Engineering Laboratories.
Present among dignitaries at the ceremony were the Executive Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, represented by the Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Mamman Durkwa; Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Baba Shehuri; representatives of the Minister of Education, Minister of Science and Technology, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and the Shehu of Borno Kingdom; and members of the UNIMAID University Governing Council.
In his keynote address, Tony Attah, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG said: “The commissioning of the NLNG Engineering Research Laboratory at the University of Maiduguri brings to six the number of laboratories built, equipped and commissioned by NLNG CSR initiative under the University Support Programme.
“NLNG considers education as one of the crucial sectors with unique potentials to stimulate sustainable development and growth, and this has informed our long-standing commitment and contributions to education.
“We believe we can say without fear of contradiction, that NLNG stands outs as an inspiration; an inspiration to many others in many respects, not just because we operate a successful business model but also because every initiative we undertake arises out of our core values of integrity, teamwork, excellence and caring,” he added.
Governor Shettima, in his address, commended NLNG, saying “I am impressed with NLNG’s contribution to national development. Your interest in the development of education has led to the actualisation of this project. This construction is a welcome development which could assist in the proposed exploration of crude oil in the Lake Chad Basin area and taking off of the North East Development Commission. Let me appeal to companies, philanthropists, non-governmental organisation and old students of UNIMAID to emulate NLNG.”
Honourable Shehuri, in his goodwill address, said the construction of the engineering laboratories was apt and timely, adding “we are commending NLNG for their foresight in constructing and equipping six engineering laboratories in the country. I have no doubt that these laboratories will be put to the best use possible.”
The Minister of Science and Technology, represented by the Zonal Director of National Board for Technology Incubation, Engr. Muhammed Zarma, commended the technological drive of the company for the economic growth of Nigeria, which he said was in tandem with the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Minister of Education, represented by the Director of Technology and Science Education at the ministry, Mrs Tina Eyaru, also expressed appreciation to NLNG, saying that the university made the right choice to work with a partner that will deliver.
In the same vein, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Njodi, thanked NLNG for what he described as a “laudable project” which he said will in no small measure place the university in a better position in terms of engineering education in Nigeria. He assured the company that the university will provide the needed support for the facility to fulfil its goals.
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 out-standing performance within each of the six geopolitical zones in the country, especially in the area of engineering and technical education.
General Manager (External Relations), Dr Kudo Eresia-Eke explained that the USP programme is one of NLNG’s interventions in education.
The company also administers a scholarship programme that covers secondary school, undergraduate and overseas post-graduate studies. The scholarship has benefited some 3000 Nigerian students.
