Odahiekwu Ogunde, Yenagoa
A 200-level student of the faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Abasiekeme Edet, has emerged the winner of the fourth edition of the annual national oil and gas essay competition organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.
The essay submitted by the 18-year-old was adjudged the best among over 6,000 entries and he was rewarded with a cash prize of N1m, a new laptop and a plaque. He emerged as one of the top 10 finalists in the 2020 edition of the competition.
The other top four finalists were Miss Oluwafela Elizabeth, a 200-level student of Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University; Mr Eze Somtochukwu, a 200-level Medical and Science student of University of Nigeria Nsukka; and Mr Ukalizibe Gwegwe, a 200-level student of Department of Law, Niger Delta University, Amassoma.
They received varying cash prizes for their efforts, laptops and plaques.
Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Simbi Wabote, who spoke on the theme, ‘Research and Development as a Key Level for Local Content Implementation in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry,’ emphasised that research and development was crucial for sustainable local content development.
Represented by Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Patrick Obah, at the Award and prize winning ceremony, Wabote said the essay competition was geared towards human development and material capacity for the oil and gas industry.
He said, “This is why the NCDMB recently launched a 10-year Research and Development Roadmap. Our R&D roadmap seeks to promote the culture of research and innovation in Nigeria and to support local content development in the oil and gas industry.
“To walk the talk, our board has a US$50m Nigerian Content Research & Development Fund; we also sponsor research prototypes and have selected five Nigerian universities as Research and Development Centres of Excellence (CoE), including Niger Delta University, Amasoma, Bayelsa State.
“I will like to assure you that NCDMB will continue to drive programmes that will engage the Nigerian youth. In this regard, I encourage you all to participate in the ongoing Nigerian Content Universities, Science and Technology Innovation Challenge (STIC). STIC is an entrepreneurship development programme that is open to all students of accredited Nigerian tertiary institutions.
“The essence is to promote science, technology and innovation, which will be launched before the end of this year. You can get more information about STIC from our website and social media platforms.
“Once again, I congratulate the winners of this year’s essay contest. I wish you all success in your studies and other life’s endeavours.”
Chairman on the occasion and Vice Chancellor, Bayelsa Medical University, Prof. Ebitimi Etebu, commended NCDMB for impacting positively the society in general.
He sought more competitions to improve creativity and research to enable students to gain requisite practical experiences and become employable upon graduation.
The Project Consultant, Mr Eyinimi Omorozi, thanked the Board for its continued sponsorship of the essay competition.
He said the project was conceived to encourage reading and writing among the youths.