By Adedapo Adesanya
Chevron Nigeria has disclosed that 23,000 Nigerians have benefitted from its scholarship programmes since its inception, including postgraduate scholarship in Nigeria and foreign universities.
The Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria and Mid-Africa Business Unit, Mr Rick Kennedy, said over 16,500 students from all the 36 states in Nigeria have benefitted from the Medical and Engineering Professional Scholarship programme, put together by Chevron and her JV partners in Agbami field, since 2009.
The Chevron boss explained that from the 16,500 Medical and Engineering Professional Scholarship, 715 students have graduated with first-class degrees.
CNL’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Mrs Esimaje Brikinn, quoted the company’s boss explaining that Chevron and its deepwater partners have continued to invest in education infrastructure, and has executed over 25 libraries across the country.
“Chevron companies in Nigeria have continued to support education development in the Niger Delta region and across the country through the development of education infrastructure, capacity building and scholarships.
“The scholarships include; the NNPC/CNL JV national university scholarship and the community scholarship program which caters for students in both secondary and tertiary institutions from communities in CNL’s areas of operations (GMoU and non-GMoU communities).
“Additionally, CNL awards scholarships to visually-impaired students to enhance their access to quality education.
“Over 23,000 people have benefitted from the company’s scholarship programs which include scholarships for community postgraduate scholars in Nigeria and foreign universities. Six of the over 180 community postgraduate students graduated with distinction.
“CNL also deploys the Science Teachers project meant to boost science education in remote secondary schools in the Company’s areas of operation.
“The program ensures the posting of National Youth Service Corps science graduates to serve their mandatory one-year period as science teachers, with Chevron providing extra incentives to NYSC members for the duration of the program.
“Since the inception of the Agbami Medical and Engineering Professional Scholarship programme in 2009, over 16,500 students from all the states of Nigeria have benefitted from the scholarship, out of which 715 students have graduated with first-class degrees.
“Chevron and its Deepwater partners have continued to invest in education infrastructure. As of today, the parties have executed 39 Science laboratory complexes and 25 conventional and hybrid libraries across the country.
“Also, Chevron and its partners embark on a wide range of activities to encourage students to develop an interest in key subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and, ultimately pursue STEM courses and career,” she said.
Modupe Gbadeyanka