Photo of the inspection of buildings for the NCDMB-Seplat Oil and Gas research centre in Delsu
By Ogbe Sunny
Delta State University, Abraka has been selected by Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board(NCDMB) and Seplat Energy PLC to establish a world-class Oil and Gas research centre. The Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, Professor Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga made this known while hosting a combined team from NCDMB and Seplat, who paid him a courtesy visit at the university’s main campus on Thursday. The VC expressed gratitude for the initiative by the group to have selected Delta State University from all the universities in Delta State as the host institution for the proposed world-class research centre without soliciting for it.
Professor Egwunyenga,VC,Delsu conducting the NCDMB- Seplat team round potential buildings to host the world-class Oil and Gas research centre in Delsu, Abraka
In press statement signed and made available to newsmen by Patrick Ijeh, Deputy Director, Ceremonials, Information, and Public Relations, Delta State University, Abraka, said the VC described this move as a significant recognition of Delta State University, Abraka, as the premier university in Delta State, and according to recent rankings of universities in Nigeria, the best state university in the South-South and South-East regions; the fourth best state university in Nigeria, and the 18th best among the 284 universities and research institutes in the country.
Professor Egwunyenga informed the visitors that the university currently has thirteen faculties with eighty-three academic programmes that are all fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC). He said the proposed Oil and Gas research centre will enhance the university’s contribution to national development through high-quality research and teaching; help build lecturers capacity and expand the frontiers of excellence the university is known for promoting.
Speaking at the occasion, Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu, the leader of the delegation and General Manager (Research and Statistics) of NCDMB, stated that the agency chose to establish its research centre at Delta State University as part of its commitment to collaborate with a prominent university in the region. He said that the collaboration aims to promote, research, facilitate the patent registration of innovations from these studies, and develop the capacity of university researchers to attract research grants.
More photos of the inspection of buildings for the NCDMB-Seplat Oil and Gas research centre in Delsu, Abraka
Alhaji Halilu expressed the optimism that the partnership will elevate the profile of the university globally and enhance its effectiveness in research and teaching. According to him, the NCDMB will take full responsibility for equipping and running the research centre while the university will be expected to provide a suitable building for it.
The Vice-Chancellor immediately led the visitors round the campus to inspect potential buildings for the research centre from where the team identified one of the buildings( inspected) as suitable and promised to commence wok immediately.