Date: 2017-03-06

Deepwater Petroleum, a subsidiary of Chevron Nigeria, says a total of 15, 803 students have so far benefitted from the company's university scholarship scheme since its inception in 2009.

Mr Richard Kennedy, Director of Deepwater Petroleum, said this at the inauguration of a science laboratory it donated to Isanlu-Isin Comprehensive College in Kwara on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the laboratory was built by Chevron Nigeria in collaboration with its co-ventures in Agbami Oil field.

The co-ventures in Agbami Field are Famfa Oil Limited, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Santoil Nigeria Limited and Petroleo Brasileiro Nigeria Limited.

Kennedy said 106 indigenes of Kwara were part of the 15,803 beneficiaries in the areas of medicine, nursing, laboratory sciences and engineering courses.

He noted that out of the 15, 803 beneficiaries, 310 students came out with first class, adding that 32 of the first class graduated from the University of Lagos.

"The donation of the science laboratory is one of the company's social intervention plan aimed at improving the teaching and learning of science subjects in schools.

"The Agbami co-ventures recognise the importance of education as a catalyst for unlocking the potential of the youth and developing their capacity for societal relevance.

"We are also committed to partner with the government and other stakeholders in supporting efforts towards promoting quality education in Nigeria," Kennedy said. He added that the Agbami co-ventures had donated a fully equipped Chest Clinic at Sobi Specialist Hospital, Ilorin, and a hybrid library at Methodist High School, Eruku, also in Kwara.

Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, in his address, said the provision of qualitative education was one of his government's cardinal programmes.

Represented by Commissioner for Education, Amuda Yeketi, Ahmed said his government would continue to provide enabling environment for learning in the state.

In his welcome address, Prof. Emmanuel Ibiloye, National President, Isanlu-Isin Development Association, expressed the community's appreciation to the donors of the laboratory.

He appealed to the state government to convert the college to a science school and rename it Government Science Secondary School, Isanlu-Isin.

Ibiloye said the appeal became necessary because there was no government school in Isin Local Government Area.

Ibiloye also appealed to the state government to post qualified science teachers to the school to handle the equipment in the laboratory.NAN