CHEVRON Nigeria Limited has emphasised on developing creative minds for economic growth in Nigeria.
Speaking at the 13th edition of the NNPC/Chevron National Art Competition for Nigerian Secondary schools in Lagos with the theme “The Nigeria of my dream” the Chairman and Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria Mid-Africa, Mr Jeff Ewing has stated that a knowledge economy is a winning economy and that every nation needs creative minds in order to continually move forward and break boundaries.
The Chevron boss who was represented by the General Manager, Policy Government and Public Affairs, Mr Esimaje Brikinn, stressed that for a nation to move forward, the minds of children need to stretch to the point where they will begin to undertake challenges as champion which will invariably lead to a better Nigeria.
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He revealed that the organisation has consistently demonstrated its commitment through various social investments ranging from education, health, down to economic development, while the national art competition is aimed at promoting and fostering creativity in the Nigeria children by spurring their interests in creative arts and also equipping them for the workplace and the future.
“For us, the art competition is an enduring investment in education that enables students to think outside the box, move beyond boundaries and seek different ways to proffer solutions” he added.
Ewing emphasised that art is a delightful means of self-expression of human thoughts and also grant access to abstract expression of human thoughts impressed upon canvas and various forms of art.
He reiterated that art helps in mental, physical and creative language development of children and also point to the fact that the more the young ones are motivated to recreate their beautiful and thought-provoking imaginations in a visible form, the more they grow to become problem solvers for the society.
In his address, the Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Service (NAPIMS), Mr Roland Ewubare, who was represented by Mrs Olubunmi Lawson of the Public Affairs Department, said the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture is focused on unlocking the potentials of the youths and also fostering creativity, in order to promote patriotism for Nigeria in every child from an early age.
Ewubare disclosed that education support strategy has been significant in enhancing access to education for all Nigerians and the art project will also contribute immensely to the increase in participation in fine art amongst children and a rising interest of the public to art appreciation.
In the junior category Iluebbey Godson,Njoku Kennedy both of University of Benin Demonstration Secondary School, Benin, Edo state and Majekodunmi Harry of Murtala Muhammed Airport School, Ikeja, Lagos, came first, second and third respectively, while in the secondary school category , Nnadi Franklin , Government Technical College, Enugu came top with the work titled “The Future I See” the second and third positions are Eche-George Ugoeze and Omiponle Prosper both of Charles Dale Memorial International School, Port Harcourt, River State with entries titled ‘nostalgia ‘ and ‘solar city’ respectively.
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