The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Chevron

  • Oil firms donate engineering equipment to varsity

    Oil firms donate engineering equipment to varsity

    The Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha, has praised Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited and its Agbami partners for supporting the development of education in Nigeria.

    Prof. Eghagha, who spoke in Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area of the state, also praised Star Deepwater, formerly Texaco Nigeria Limited now a Chevron company, for donating essential equipment to tertiary institutions in the country.

    The commissioner made the remark when the company and its partners in the Agbami Field donated equipment to the Faculty of Engineering, Delta State University (DELSU) Oleh campus.

    The equipment donated at the occasion held recently include: Rheometer, Supra-22 KR High; Fann K 1Ter Press Assembly and Digital Microscope DM-25 as well as Mud Balance, Digital Viscometer, Automatic Cleveland, Open Cup Flashpoint Tester BCO-T901 and Permearmeter (Chromatographic) Column Filtered with a Disc.

    Eghagha, who was represented by Mrs. Stella Itoko, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the Ministry, commended the Agbami partners for the gesture, stressing that no sector of the economy can be sustained without education.

    Prof. Eghagha also said the state government looks forward to partnership with different organisations to develop the education sector, adding that the gesture by the Agbami partners was a testimony of their commitment to corporate social responsibility.

    He urged other organisations to emulate Agbami partners’ example so as to positively impact teaching and learning in the schools.

    Speaking on behalf of the Agbami partners, the company’s director, Mr. Jeffrey Ewing noted that the donation was informed by its determination to improve the education sector in Nigeria as well as further the FUHCADI by employees of Chevron Facility Engineering Group who, on regular basis, voluntarily go to benefitting universities including DELSU to teach students of Engineering Department some fundamentals in the oil and gas industry.

    Ewing, who was represented by Mr. Tunde Olorunnaiye (Onshore Construction Superintendent), said the Agbami partners have, over the years, demonstrated commitment to conducting their business here in Nigeria in a socially responsible manner by adding value to the lives of the people and contributing positively to the socio-economic development of the area.

    He commended the Governing Council of DELSU and the state Ministry of Education for supporting the partners towards making the donation, even as he encouraged the students to make good use of the equipment.

    In their remarks, the Provost of Oleh Campus of DELSU, Prof. Chinedum Mordi, and the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Philip Kuale appreciated Star Deepwater and the Agbami Partners for the donation.

    They said the donation would help sustain the Faculty of Engineering Human Capacity Development Initiative (FUHCADI) which has contributed immensely to the development of students of Engineering.

    They noted that the donation was well-timed as it was coming at a time that the institution needed such equipment to prepare for the accreditation of the Department of Engineering by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

    The Star Deepwater team also included Mr. Dan Agbofode and Victor Anyaegbudike of the Policy Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), while DELSU’s Dean, Faculty of Law, Prof. David F. Tom, Prof. M.O.U Gasiokwu (Faculty of Law), Dr. K.M. Oghenejoboli (HOD Chemical Engineering) and other members of the Faculty of Engineering led a team of the institution’s representatives.

     

  • NNPC/Chevron roll-back malaria programme for Delta communities

    NNPC/Chevron roll-back malaria programme for Delta communities

    The effort of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture to eradicate malaria through the Roll Back Malaria programme has been applauded by stakeholders in Delta State.

    The commendation for the JV commitment to health development in Nigeria through its Roll Back Malaria programme in various parts of the country; especially in communities around its operations in the Niger Delta region, was described as a worthy cause.

    The company recently organised similar programme in Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South-West Local Government Area and Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State on November 7 and 8, 2013 in partnership with Africare.

    The programme, which involved enlightenment campaign on malaria prevention, malaria testing/treatment, distribution of insecticide-treated nets and sensitisation on the use of the nets as well as indoor residual spray in different houses in the communities, aimed at providing support for malaria prevention; including health promotion activities that would significantly reduce the prevalence of the disease and benefit the population.

    The Chairman of Warri South West Local Government Area who was represented by Hon. Kingsley Esimaje, the Supervisory Councillor for Education, thanked the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture and its partners for deploying the programme in Ogbe-Ijoh, stressing the need to eradicate malarial scourge from the society because of its devastating effects on the people; especially in the riverside areas.

    He pledged the support of the local government in ensuring the smooth implementation of the programme, even as he called on the traditional rulers and the people to support facilitators of the programme in order to achieve their objectives.

    In his remarks at the event in Koko, the chairman, Warri North Local Government Area, Evangelist David Edun, who was represented by Mr. Nelson Egbe, the Supervisory Councillor for Environment, commended the programme, stating that malaria was the most common disease in Nigeria and in Delta State.

    Edun said: “Chevron is a good company that loves and cares for the well-being of the people. We implore you to keep up the good work in Delta State and in the society in general.”

    Earlier in her opening remarks, the Country Director, Africare, Dr. Orode Doherty thanked NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture for giving the organisation the privilege to facilitate the programme in Delta State.

    She explained that Africa’s malaria projects cover the entire Niger Delta with a combined catchment population of over 21 million, adding that their activities include supporting the primary health centres with supplies to ensure prompt adequate malaria diagnosis and treatment.

    In his remarks at the events, Mr. Deji Haastrup, the General Manager, Policy Government and Public Affairs (PGPA) represented by Messrs. Trust Inimgba (PGPA Superintendent Warri) and Kunle Okegbemiro (Coordinator National Programmes) in Ogbe-Ijoh and Koko respectively, stated that the company was partnering with the Delta State government and others for the roll back malaria as part of its corporate social responsibility commitments towards supporting healthcare development in Nigeria.

    He noted that malaria was a major killer disease in Nigeria which severely affects children mostly under five years of age and pregnant women. He added that malaria was currently endemic in 99 countries, causing an estimated 219 million cases and 660,000 deaths per year; according to World Health organisation (WHO).

    He reiterated that malaria was preventable and could be eradicated, adding that Chevron has been partnering with other stakeholders since 2009 to deploy the roll-back malaria programme in various parts of the country.

  • Flood: Communities receive free malaria treatment in Edo

    Communities affected by flood in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Council of Edo State, received free malaria treatment and mosquito-treated nets yesterday.

    The drugs and mosquito treated nets were donated to the communities by the Agbami Partners which comprised Chevron Nig. Ltd, Star Deep Water Petroluem Limited, Famfa Oil Limited, NNPC,Statoil and Petroleo Brasileiro Nigerai Ltd. It would be recalled that over 20 communities in Edo State were affected by the flood disaster which occurred last year.

    Speaking at the occasion, the Director, Star Deepwater Petroleum, Mr Jeffrey Ewing, said they are implementing the Roll Back Malaria in the affected communities in order to add value to the lives of the people and contribute positively to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

    According to him, “today’s event is another indication of the partner’s determined efforts to improve primary health care delivery in Nigeria.

    ” Malaria is a major killer disease severely affecting mostly children

    under five years of age and pregnant women.

    ” But besides malaria, the Agbani partners have also implemented awareness programme on HIV and AIDS, diabetes and other diseases in several communities across the six geo political zones in the country”.

    Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Council, Prince Suleiman Afegbua, who declared the programme open, expressed joy over the gesture and urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the mosquito-treated nets.

    The Okumagbe of Weppawano, who was represented by Chief Oshomah Akenabor, commended the Agbami partners for coming to the aid of the flood affected communities, assuring that “our people make good use of the mosquito treated nets and also adhere strictly to the prescription of the malaria drugs distributed to us.”

     

  • Community partners Chevron to develop Ilaje

    In a clear departure from the constant conflicts between oil communities in the Niger Delta and the oil producing companies, one of the oil majors and its host community in the riverside area of Ondo State are working to develop the area.

    Chevron Nigeria Limited and Ilaje Regional Development Committee,(IRDC) in partnership with the state government have entered into a Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) to bring development to the coastal communities in the state.

    Following the need to cater for people in the coastal area of the state, the IRDC  was established in 2005.

    The GMoU is a new concept that allows the oil communities the opportunity for a pride of ownership and management of various projects in the area with Chevron providing the funds.

    At its fourth Annual General meeting (AGM), the Chairman of IRDC, Prince Jackson Nomiye, said about N91 million had been expended on the construction of a 4,500-metre wooden walkways, which link many of the communities in line with cardinal objective to stimulate development in Ilaje land.

    He said over 30 projects have been executed and most of them have been handed over to the communities.

    Among the projects are Housing Units at Ode-Ugbo and Jirinwo, multipurpose  town halls at Molutehin and Awoye, and a science laboratory at Molutehin.

    Nomiye said Reverse Osmo project equipment worth several millions of naira were also brought to site for installation for the provision of potable water to the mandate areas.

    On skill acquisition, the IRDC chairman said: “Several of our youths and women groups are sent to learn new skills at vocational training centres while many are employed at the end of their training.

    “In line with our commitment to the empowerment of all Ilajes covered by the RDC, each year almost N12million is awarded as scholarship to our students both in secondary and higher institutions beside call scholarship.

    He said because of the council relationship with Chevron, many contractors got contracts worth several millions of naira, while many job seekers got short and long term appointments with the oil giant and contractors working for the oil company.

    Nomiye, however, appealed for increase in funding as the seed money provided by Chevron was not enough for the execution of projects.

    Besides, he called for contributions from other stakeholders such as the state and local governments, agencies and parastatals, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Niger Delta Ministry and OSOPADEC.

    The General Manager Public Affairs of Chevron, Mr. Deji Haastrup, praised the IRDC leaders for their good management skills, which informed the tremendous achievements the body had achieved.

    According to him, the council has expended N800million in implementing both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects most of which have been completed and inaugurated.

    Haastrup called for renewal of the GMoU to keep up with stakeholders’ expectations and emerging developments.

    He commended the state government for providing the leadership that has continued to create the enabling environment for the implementation of the GMoU.

    The Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Frederick Akinruntan, who was represented by the Ajagajigi of Ugboland, Chief Adesola Fagbeye, urged Chevron to bridge the communication gap between him and the organisation to facilitate robust dialogue, especially on siting of projects in the area.

  • Chevron rewards Kula community

    Chevron rewards Kula community

    Apparently happy with the way Kula Community has handled the Global Memorandum of Understanding it signed with it, the management of American oil giant, Chevron Nigeria Limited has promised to empower the people the more, writes CLARICE AZUATALAM.

    Chevron Nigeria Limited is impressed with the way Kula Community in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State has managed funds accruing from the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) signed by both parties in 2005. The GMoU is a revitalised community development template through which the American oil giant assist benefitting communities to develop.

    In the terms of the understanding, the company fund the communities’ development committees, which in turn provide amenities and facilities to the benefiting communities based on their needs assessment.

    As a result the company has promised to sign another higher version of the agreement. The new version which is to be called Global Memorandum of Understanding plus (GMoU+) would help to empirically monitor and evaluate the impact of the already existing GMoU on host communities of CNL as well as help the company to realize individual and collective aspirations.

    The General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA) of CNL, Mr Deji Haastrup who spoke in Port Harcourt during the commissioning of the Secretariat of Kula Regional Development Committee (KURDC) and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the body, also explained that the GMoU+ would “focus on business development and economic empowerment; third party partnership and collaboration; delivery on the Millennium Development Goals, Operational Excellence and Human Rights.”

    Haastrup, who was represented at the occasion by the Coordinator, GMoU,PGPA, East of CNL, Mr George Iluwa, also commended the current leadership of KURDC for surmounting the challenges associated with changes to live up to the agreement of the 2005 GMoU and to set up many viable projects.

    The projects include the construction of 4,000 gallons of water project with treatment plants in Robert-Kiri, LuckyLand and Offion-Ama; electrification projects in Boro community and Kula Main Town as well as the highly acclaimed Support for Women in Micro Enterprise (SWIM) in partnership with CNL and Accord for Community Development, a non-governmental organisation.

    He also commended the KURDC leadership for its foresightedness in building a secretariat in Port Harcourt and for awarding contracts for the construction of 30 units of three bedroom bungalows in Kula main town pointing out that this would help to ameliorate the housing needs of families that would be impacted in the proposed road and drainage project by the Niger Delta Development Commission.

    The CNL Spokesman also commended KURDC “for being the first among the eight Regional Development Committees under the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture GMOU to put in place a competitive community scholarship selection process” noting that this would help the youths to prepare for fulfilling careers in future.

    While expressing hope that the partnership between KURDC and the Early School Initiative (ESI) would usher in the construction of Nursery and Primary School project, he further praised the KURDC for making transparency and accountability which are the core values of the GMoU their watchwords.

    He said the AGM which the committee introduced since 2011 provides a good platform for them “to go back to the people to give account of its stewardship for the preceding year and to outline programmes that would continue to bring sustainable development to the communities” and commended the Rivers State government for helping the GMoU to record successes.

    The Chairman of KURDC, Mr Stanley Benibo, listed out all the projects the committee has been able to establish but lamented that the first beneficiaries of its Kia-Rio car loan scheme have not been paying up promising that they would be prosecuted if they do not pay up in the next one month.

    While appealing for more funds to enable the committee meet up with its “insatiable human wants”, Benibo called on CNL to provide a separate employment scheme for KURDC youths.

    Also speaking, the Royal Father of Kula, King Sara Eleki commended the KURDC for what it has been doing since 2011 and for successfully hosting three AGMs.

    King Eleki who was represented by Chief Temple Dia also advised the committee “to make communication more effective” and urged CNL to look into what the contractor it gave job in Robert-Kiri is doing and to make the contractor who has not released any fund to the Chiefs since this year to do that as soon as possible.

    The Secretary of Kula Council of Chiefs, Chief David Emeniye-Orlu, who also spoke, recalled that a lot of misunderstanding surrounded the KURDC when it was initially floated.

    “Now the council of chiefs are fully in support of KURDC and we are happy that today’s meeting is being held at this secretariat,” Emeniye-Orlu said, promising that the chiefs would be holding its meetings at the place when need be.

    The Audited Account of KURDC for 2012 was read out to the people by the Resident Manger of Anthony Nwinee & Co, a firm of Chartered Accountants, Pastor Legborsi Tebira.

    Tebira also stated that “to the best of our knowledge and having regard to the explanations given to us, the financial statements read in conjunction with the notes thereon, give a true and fair view of the financial position of KURDC as at 31st December 2012.”

     

     

  • ‘Technology vital to local content’

    THE acquisition of technology is imperative to the achievement of local content in the petroleum industry, Prof Abiola Kehinde of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has said.

    Speaking at a workshop for Learning Managers by the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State, Kehinde of the Chemical Engineering Department of UNILAG,identified the various methods and strategies through which these technologies could be acquired in areas such as production, engineering, and transport.

    Kehinde, who spoke on Expanding the frontiers of petroleum business in Nigeria through knowledge management and cutting edge research, reiterated that the only way to harness the vast business potential in the oil and gas industry is through a paradigm shift from the import supply mentality to development of indigenous technology through research and development and patronage of locally fabricated consumables.

    He said: “Technological developments in the world, particularly in the later half of last century (1900) and the first decade of this century (2000) have been taking place at such a pace that it is not possible for an industrial enterprise to survive if it does not modernise, expand or add new product lines to its existing business activities. i.e. diversify. Examples include multinational oil companies operating in Nigeria such as Shell, Chevron, Exxon Mobil etc.

    In a communiqué, participants who included experts from the industry, noted that the creation of synergies between players in the sector and the institute could lead to their improved performance, achievement of competitive advantage and innovation.

    It urged the various oil companies to collaborate with PTI to forge synergies to optimise the utilisation of the state-of-the-art equipment and facilities provided by PTDF for technical research and development of appropriate solutions to the contemporary challenges of the industry. It observed that security for potential investors posed one of the greatest challenges to the harnessing of the tremendous business potential that abound in the industry. It urged the Federal Government to address the issue and expedite the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to enable potential investors to exploit investment opportunities in the Industry.

    The workshop challenged the institute to establish an innovation and production centre to manufacture products and offer services to the needs of the industry. It observed that technical ideas and innovative concepts could be gleaned from collaboration between PTI and operators.

    Participants recommended the initiation of local production of drilling equipment /fluids; research on design and fabrication of drilling bits and drilling mud; local fabrication of bolts and nuts, government legislation that encourage the production of local components for use in the industry; collaboration between the academia and the industry, retired experts to be recalled to impart knowledge of the industry in the institute, mentoring /coaching/teamwork programmes and construction and operation of mini-refineries to serve the teeming demand of petroleum products.

  • Bids on Chevron’s oil blocks due next week

    Bids on Chevron’s oil blocks due next week

    U.S.-based Chevron Corp (CVX.N) will receive bids on September 30 from prospective buyers of three oil blocks in the Niger Delta, with several local Nigerian firms in the running, industry sources told Reuters on Tuesday.

    Oil industry sources estimate the mean value of the three blocks combined at $500 million to $600 million and anticipate winning bids will be around those levels.

    Chevron said in June it would be selling its 40 percent interest in five onshore blocks, joining Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L), Italy’s Eni (ENI.MI) and France’s Total (TOTF.PA) in selling stakes in Niger Delta assets.

    U.S. firm ConocoPhillips (COP.N) is also selling its Nigerian assets to Oando Energy (OANDO.LG) for $1.79 billion.

    Chevron wants to sell OML 52, 53 and 55 to one buyer and suitors will have to pay 15 percent of bids on September 30, three sources close to the deals told Reuters. The firm will sell two other blocks, OML 82 and OML 85, in a separate bidding process.

    The U.S. firm did not respond to a request for comment.

    The three blocks have total oil reserves of around 134 million barrels and 5 trillion cubic feet of gas, two sources said. One company was willing to bid $1.7 billion for the assets but it was unlikely it was a credible buyer, the sources said.

    Consortium bidders were more likely to be able to raise the financing necessary, sources said, and as with recent sales of Shell oil blocks, Nigerian firms, many in partnership with foreign companies, are likely to win most bids.

    Nigeria’s South Atlantic Petroleum (SAPETRO), which already has joint ventures with Total and China’s CNOOC, is expected to bid, as is First Hydrocarbon Nigeria, the local-arm of London-listed Afren (AFRE.L), two sources involved in the deals said.

    Afren declined to comment and SAPETRO did not respond to a request for comment.

    LOCAL BIDDERS

    Since 2010 Nigeria has had a policy of encouraging more direct ownership of its oil and gas by Nigerians, either through the state oil company or local private firms. That has raised concerns among foreign oil majors they may lose smaller assets if they do not sell now, industry experts say.

    Worries over oil theft, fraught relations with communities living around oil fields and uncertainty over a stalled bill to overhaul fiscal terms has also encouraged majors to sell down.

    Many Nigerian firms are backed by powerful political or business figures. The chairman of SAPETRO is General T.Y. Danjuma, a former minister of defense and chief of army staff.

    SEPLAT, which is partly owned by French oil explorer Maurel & Prom (MAUP.PA) and Swiss-based commodity trader Mercuria, is expected to submit a bid, the sources said. SEPLAT did not respond to request for comment.

    Indigenous Nigerian companies who already manage marginal fields in the delta, including Brittania-U, Vertex, Sogenal and Seven Energy have shown interest in the blocks, they said.

    Chevron owns a 40 percent stake in 13 onshore blocks with Nigeria’s state oil firm NNPC and also has deep offshore assets. Its 2012 net daily production in Nigeria averaged 238,000 barrels of crude oil and 165 million cubic feet of natural gas.

    Nigeria’s NNPC, which owns the remaining 60 percent of the blocks Chevron is selling, has warned prospective buyers that although the U.S. firm currently operates production of the blocks, it has the right to hand over the handling of drilling to its subsidiary NPDC.

    Not having operatorship poses significant risks for would be investors in the fields, not least that NPDC is short on finance and expertise. It has usually had to call in a third-party to operate the blocks, pushing up costs.

    Africa’s biggest oil producer usually pumps 2 million to 2.5 million barrels per day of oil, most of which is exported.

    Despite the sales of smaller onshore assets, oil majors like Shell, Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) and Chevron remain keen on expanding offshore Nigeria and want to keep hold of the biggest fields onshore, major pipelines and export terminals.

  • Why Chevron, Shell quit OKLNG project, by Amosun

    Why Chevron, Shell quit OKLNG project, by Amosun

    Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has shed light on why two oil giants, Chevron and Shell Petroleum, pulled out of the Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas (OKLNG) Project.

    Amosun, who addressed reporters in Abeokuta after a meeting with members of the Ogun Elders’ Consultative Forum that visited him on Monday, said both firms must have pulled out of the multi-billion dollar project apparently due to the expertise and quantum of investments the Dangote Group and other indigenous entrepreneurs are bringing into the Olokola Free Trade Zone (OKFTZ).

    The massive investment and expertise which the indigenous investors, such as Aliko Dangote, Jim Ovia and others, are planning for Olokola FTZ sent away the foreign investors away, he stressed, adding that the Refinery and Petrol-Chemical project would soon start operation in full force.

    He said other local investors, are planning to build fertiliser and amonia plants in the area, stating that about 90 per cent of what is being done in Olokola FTZ, falls within the jurisdiction of Ogun State, just as neighbouring Ondo State is also playing a role in the project.

    He said: “May be you don’t understand this, it’s not only Chevron, there are about four, or five parties and because they have realised that nothing was happening then, and now, they’ve realised, yes Alhaji Aliko Dangote and us as a state that some of the people that are there have actually been bought over, that I can confirm to you.

    “And what will Chevron be doing there when of course, there are big players as well, the gentleman that is building the Refinery is not a novice; he will get the best in the world to come and build it and it’s like what he is doing is a direct competition with Chevron, so if he is doing it, so how?”

    He continued: “Look at the quantum of money being invested there; it is even far more than, probably more than ten times what Chevron wanted to invest there.

    “Let me even be modest and say that almost all 90 per cent of what is being done now in Olokola falls directly within Ogun state. If you look at the bigger picture, it is between Ogun and Ondo states, but not that probably we will still not go and may be do phase two with Ondo state.

    “But as we speak today, the deep seaport, the fertiliser and amonia, everything that Dangote wants to do is in Ogun State and I’m sure by October, we should be there and the Refinery will commence. Dangote is partnering with us, but it is not Dangote alone, I am aware that Mr Jim Ovia is bringing in amonia to the site, fertiliser is coming, some people are building; it is a whole lot of things that are coming.”

    Earlier, the state’s Elders Consultative Forum lauded the efforts of Senator Amosun at rebuilding the state through urban renewal projects, clean environment, infrastructural developments and security of lives and property among others.

    Former World Court Judge, Prince Bola Ajibola, who spoke for the group, described Amosun as “hardworking, effective and performing Governor” whose “concern for Ogun State very much at his heart,” said the Governor’s “diligence” would surely enable him to be counted at surely end of the day among “kings and not among mere men.”

  • Chevron lifts blind students

    Chevron lifts blind students

    The Niger Delta Blind Students Association and beneficiaries of the Blind Students Scholarship Programme initiated by the Chevron/NNPC Joint Venture have commended the JV partners for the gesture.

    The President of the association, Tariye Ben Omietimi, said the scheme has helped its members to continue their education and to measure up to the requirements of higher education in Nigeria.

    Omietimi, an indigene of Bayelsa State, explained that his compassion for the teaming visually-impaired students, who lacked help, informed the decision to set up the body, whose members are among over 200 blind students in various tertiary institutions who receive N150,000 annually since the scheme started in 2007.

    A recipient, Emmanuel Sylvanus, said the scheme has proved that there is hope for blind students whose aspirations for further education are being hampered not by their physical challenges, but financial handicap.

    The final year student of Mass Communications at the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, said life was even more difficult for him as a blind child of a blind woman with four blind persons in his family.

    “As a child of a blind woman and brother to four blind persons in my family, you can understand that the means of survival for daily bread is even difficult not to talk of affording higher education.”

    “Chevron has made it possible for some blind students who would have dropped out of school because of lack of money to remain in the school system,” added Emmanuel who graduated in 2010 as the second-best student in the Ordinary National Diploma level before he proceeded to the Higher National Diploma level.

    The story is the same for Gabriel Godwin, an Urhobo final year Mass Communications at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN). He described the company’s gift to him and others as “unique”, adding that the Chevron’s scholarship has gone a long way to alleviate his financial plight in the school.

    “I find it easy to pay my school fees, buy the necessary textbooks, tape recorder and some other materials needed in the school for the smooth running of my academic activities,” he said.

    “This (Chevron) is the only oil company in Nigeria and even in Africa that has given this exceptional scholarship to the visually impaired particularly the Niger Delta students – there is no aptitude test, nothing whatsoever.”

    Felix Lodio and Idowu Philip are also beneficiaries of the NNPC/Chevron Blind students’ scholarship. While Felix is a final student of English/Literature, Idowu, an indigene of Ondo State is a final year student of Mass communication at the University of Nigeria Nsukka.

    Mr. Edison Edhere, father of one of the beneficiaries, Omoefe Edhere, a final year student of Special Studies at the University of Jos, was also full of commendation.

    He stated: “I had stroke for over 10 years now. If not for this scholarship from Chevron, there would have been no hope for me and my family. “

    He particularly expressed joy that Chevron deviated from the norm of companies concentrating Corporate Responsibility programs on the healthy and able-bodied people while neglecting the plight of physically challenged like the blind students.

  • Chevron boat survivor holds thanksgiving

    Two weeks after he survived an accident involving a tug boat working for Chevron Nigeria Limited, which capsized in the Atlantic Ocean, Harrison Okene, yesterday rolled out the drums to celebrate his survival.

    Okene was still in a pensive mood when he stood before the congregation at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Divine Peace Parish, Okuokoko, Okpe Local Government Area, Delta State, yesterday.

    He told the church how he spent two days under water before he was rescued on May 28 after the vessel, Jascon 4, plunged into the depth of the Atlantic.

    Still smarting from the loss of 11 colleagues who died in the accident, which happened about 20 miles off the coast of Escravos, Warri Southwest Local Government Area, the survivor could only attribute his fortune to God.

    Okene was the only survivor of the anchor handling tugboat owned by a subsidiary of the Netherlands-based Sea Truck Group, West Africa Ventures, which capsized on May 26.

    The vessel was towing a tanker during loading at the Single Buoy Mooring (SBM) #3, around the BOP (Blowout Preventer) owned by CNL, when it went under at about 4:50am.

    An initial statement from Chevron said “sudden ocean surge” caused the vessel to capsize.

    Okene, the cook of the vessel, who was in the rest room when the tugboat sank, was rescued alive.

    A search-and-rescue team comprising, Ugandan, South African and western and local divers rescued Harrison about 1900hrs on May 28.

    Ten bodies were recovered; one seaman remains unaccounted for.

    In his sermon, Pastor Francis Omoreme said the day was not one for long speeches, but for thanksgiving.

    Reading from Isaiah 32:1-8, the cleric thanked God for the grace that brought Okene out of the ocean.

    Pastor Omoreme led the congregation in a prayer for the family.

    Speaking at a reception in his home, Okene said he was saved by the grace of God, insisting that he is “not more pious and blameless”.

    Covered in white native chalk (the Urhobo people symbol of victory and purity), the sombre-looking survivor said: “The rest of my life is not enough to thank God for this wonder, it is incredible.”

    His wife , Akpos, described herself as “the luckiest woman alive.”

    Also decked in the white chalk, she said words are not enough to express her joy.

    “In all this, I am indeed the chief celebrant because God has been so kind to me.”

    Mrs. Christiana Okene, Harrison’s mother, thanked God that she did not bury her son.

    Also covered in white chalk and waving a white handkerchief, she danced to the admiration of well-wishers.