The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) have jointly donated a state-of-the-art information and communication technology (ICT) centre to the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State.
The 100-seater one-storey building was launched on Thursday to promote research, teaching and learning in a conducive environment.
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said “the facility would go a long way in expanding the capacity of the students and staff of the university to compete locally and globally.”
Okowa, who was represented by the state commissioner for science and technology, Jennifer Adesen-Efeviroro, commended NNPC and SNEPCo for the focused intervention which he said could not have come at a better time when the world is technology-driven.
The ICT centre is equipped with 100 computers with licensed software, a WIFI lounge, computer laboratories, conference rooms, a lecture hall, office spaces and equipment rooms. The facility also includes smart interactive boards, and a 100KVA generator.
Managing director of SNEPCo Elohor Aiboni described the donation as one of the many intervention programmes of SNEPCo and its partners to set Nigerian schools on the path of accelerated digitalisation.
Group general manager of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), the investment arm of NNPC, Bala Wunti, also described the donation as a delight to NNPC which is keen on making significant impact in the lives of all Nigerians.
“We are keen on touching lives in many positive ways and this intervention, like many others delivered through our partners will go a long way in grooming Nigerian youths for the technological evolution in the world,” Wunti said.
Represented by NAPIMS deputy manager, external affairs Edith Lawson, Wunti said the ICT centre “will help create a pool of IT savvy professionals whose skills are of high necessity and demand in this global century.”
