SCHOLARSHIPS AND EMPLOYMENTS GALORE AT PTI

It was an unforgetable experience as over 3,000 Technicians and Technologists were awarded National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Certificates for the last three academic sessions at the 2016 Convocation Ceremony of The Petroleum Training Institute Effurun, Delta State, Gbenga Ojo reports.

Hundreds of students led by the President of the students' union Government (SUG) Petroleum Training Institute Effurun, Comrade Theophilus Ukuyoma, The President Students' Union Government Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun(FUPRE), Comrade Ozubu Blessing and the National Association Of Polytechnic Students' Senate President,  Comrade Jeremiah Friday were at Osubi airstrip as early as 7am on Saturday 8th October, 2016 with banners to welcome the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu who was invited for the Convocation. On the Minister's arrival, the students raised songs to welcome him, after which Dr. Ibe was officially welcomed.

The event which was anchored by the Institution's Public Relation Officer, Mr. Brown Ukanefimone and opened with Exhibition of different creative works from the different departments in the Institute got started on the Friday 7th of October with Pre Convocation lecture tittled The Role of Research and Training in Sustainable Economic Growth and National Development with the former Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Joseph Ajienka as the guest Speaker.

There was joy and jubilation as different awards  were presented to top students from different department. The awards included , The Institute Award, Typa Cenia Award, PTI National Alumni Association Award, PPMC award, Chevron Award, Mobil Award, Principal's Award, Miss Ama Pepple's Award Shell Award and David O. Etiejirhvwe's Award.

Also the lecturers were not left out as Dr. G. O. Agiri, Dr. H. A. Adimula and Mr. P. E. Akumagba were honoured for their outstanding research on  'Immobilized Oil Degrading Microorganisms in Local Cellulosic Materials for Rapid Deployment in Bioremediation of Oil Polluted Soils'.

“I have ordered Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF) to award scholarships to the three best OND graduands and I have also asked institutions under me to employ the three best HND graduands.” Dr. Ibe Kachikwu crowned it up.

The Minister of State for Petroleum, who assured Nigerians of the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to build a solid structure for the country, commended the institute for proper management of funds and urged them to evolve ideas that could make the institution self reliant. The minister pledged to liaise with relevant agencies to ensure that PTI remained relevant in building the manpower needs of the oil and gas industry in the country. The minister advised the graduands not to bother looking for jobs but utilise their skills to create jobs for themselves and to employ others.

In a remark, the Principal/ Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Training Institute, Prof. Sunny lyuke urged the HND graduands to continue to play active roles and be good
ambassadors of the institution. He also challenged the best ND graduands to make quick plans and return for the HND programmes. The Principal said that the school planned to partner with other foreign universities to undertake Post graduate programme and a Master of Science Programme in ICT. He said PTI would soon become a centre for digital innovations which would create jobs for the teeming youths. “We are soliciting your support and collaboration in this regard. The project is estimated at N120 billion and when completed will be first of its kind in the entire sub-saharan Africa”, he said.

The Chairman of Council, Mr. M.D.B. Ladan appealed to the Federal Government to consider increasing budgetary allocations to the Petroleum
Training Institute to enable it achieve its mandate.

Alordiah Ovie Andrew, from Electrical Electronics Department who had four distinctions in four semesters and won three different awards which includes, Best HND Graduate in Mathematics, Best Overall HND Graduate and the Best student in HND-Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology (Electronic & Telecommunications option) for 2014 /2015 session said "I feel so elated and its a dream come true . It wasn't easy coming this far and the greatest challenge was how to become the best but I thank God I made it through. . To crown it all, the immediate employment, courtesy of the Hon Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kaichukwu was mind blowing."

The winner of 2013/2014 Institute award for best graduating student in Industrial safety department, Miss Ama Pepple award for the best graduating female and PTI retired staff award for best graduating female, miss Sarah from Industrial Safety and Environmental Technology department told Campus Life that she felt exhilarated winning the three awards. "Especially knowing that the achievement made my mom and folks so happy and proud" she said.

Another award winner that spoke with Campus life was Nmadi Evis Ani who emerged as 2013/2014 Best ND Graduate in Industrial Safety and Environmental Technology Departmental, had this to say "I am very pleased to have emerged as the  best in my department, I want to specially thank God for the great privilege, my appreciation also goes to this great institute PTI for creating the platform for some of us and the nation at large. I say thank you" he said.