Kabilan came first with 75 points, followed by Emmanuel with 70 points and Ehiagwina with 65 points. They were all awarded a scholarship of N300, 000; N250, 000 and N100, 000 per annual respectively to the tertiary levels.
Among the dignitaries who also graced the occasion were two former Military Heads of State, Generals Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalam Abubakar (Rtd); Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Governors of Edo, Kebbi, Taraba, Plateau as well as Kaduna States and many numerous personalities.
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In his opening remarks, the GMD of the NNPC, Dr Baru, said the objectives of the competition were to implement a core element of NNPC’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) package; promotion of science education in Nigeria; encouraging students in the study of STEM-related Subjects-Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; as well as to prepare students for promotional and qualifying examinations and build friendship amongst the participants students among others.
He said the unique aspect of this year’s event was the evaluation of the initiative which he directed to be carried out early this year, with a charge that the corporation’ Group Public Affairs Division that manages the initiative to, among others, assess the extent to which the objectives of the flagship NNPC’s CSR project were being met and what the corporation needed to do to improve on its impacts on the target audience.
Dr Baru stated that in respect of engendering national unity, he was proud to say that the quiz has fulfilled the objectives of its founding fathers, noting that many of the winners confessed that their initial encounter with the National Federation and its abundant potentials was through the NNPC quiz competition.
The GMD, therefore, assured that the management of the corporation would continue to build on the landmark achievements of the competition, and ensure that the test administration met international standards, given the existing collaboration already established with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS) and Science Teachers’ Association of Nigeria (STAN), that were all impacting positively on the high status of the initiatives.
In his speech, the Chairman of the occasion, General Gowon, rtd, said he was particularly delighted by the competition, because it was all and encompasses with several objectives, saying it was gratifying that the competition through its various stages has succeeded in bringing together the next generations of innovators and scientists’ that would help Nigeria grow in the world of science and technology.
He charged the participants to look beyond what happened yesterday and focus more on the potentials goal of the country because “you may have to collaborate to achieve great goals at the global stages sooner and later.
“I can assure you, we have battle revenge and it was a great battle of what we are not expected to be a war these young people went through. But let me say this, we made young Nigerians settle and come together to know this country better. Here I will say thanks to all youth corpers, those first group youth corpers and subsequent youth corpers, thank you for what you have done for the country.
“I’m delighted to know that yes we know each other and we love each other and in that way, we certainly love our country better. You all have had to compete with one another while learning, eating, playing and staying together under the same room but it is the spirit of healthy competition.
“I have been informed that tomorrow (today), all the students sitting on the stage today along with their teachers will be taking on the tour of Abuja in truth, this will form lasting friendship among the groups. These cross-cultural friendships will further cement the bonds that all our diverse people to get together as one people, one Nigeria. I am happy to know an increase in qualities and transparency in the competition brought by NNPC brings partnerships in WAEC, the JETS and STAN.
“In every endeavour, it always better to do heavy lifting without cutting corners for that is the secret of true success. My dear students, by making it this far, to set on this stage in front of all of us and the entire nation, you have made your parents and teachers very proud and just fight their financial intellectual and emotional investment with you.” He asserted.
In his remarks, General Abubakar, who was the special guest of honour, said all the 18 contestants were indeed a great individual and collective leaders, having scared through from local government level to the states and zonal cadre before they eventually passed to the great of yesterday grand finale.
He commended the NNPC for providing such a platform for gifted young Nigerians to showcase their talents to the rest of the World, saying through the years, the corporation has demonstrated commitments to the growth of the sustenance of qualitative indigenous manpower across all the hydrocarbon of today’s climate change.
According to him, your record in championing the creation and championing of Nigeria content initiative in the oil and gas industry is second to none. It is equally gratifying to observe that essential philosophy of this national service quiz completion is rooted to ensure that the production line of highly skilled labour remains intact and prolific.
“I must at this stage commend and thank General Yakubu Gowon for setting up National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) scheme which is yearly uniting our country. I commend the current Group Managers of NNPC led by Dr Maikanti Baru for keeping the flag flying and ensuring that the corporation operates as the truly Nigerian own state oil corporation with humility, responsibility to the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Indeed, from what eyes can see, NNPC is touching the lives of so many. I congratulate the management for organising the competition and I wish the current participants all the success in all the best way.” He stated.
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