The ultra modern ICT centre in SAZU donated by NNPC, SPDCBy: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bala Wunti, Chief Upstream Investment Officer (CUIO), NNPC Limited has stressed that,Education has always been a cornerstone of societal development, and in today’s world, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an essential pillar that supports the foundation.
He was speaking in Gadau, main campus of the Bauchi State owned Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU) during the official commissioning of an ultra modern Information, Communication Centre (ICT) constructed and donated to the University on Thursday.
The donation was as part of the social responsibilities and community relations, jointly executed by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC ), Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd and their Joint Venture partners, Total Energies and Nigeria Agip Oil Company with The Offshore Lab (TOL).
Bala Wunti stressed that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has always been a hallmark of the NNPC-SPDC Joint Venture (JV).
According to him, “For several decades, the JV has consistently invested in impactful CSR initiatives across the length and breadth of Nigeria. Today, the JV is in Bauchi to celebrate the completion of a state-of-the-art ICT Centre at the Bauchi State University, Gadau. This is indeed no mean feat and a milestone worthy of celebration.”
Represented by Head, Business Services NNPC Upstesm Investment Management Services (NUIMS) Sani Kabo, he added that, “At NUIMS-NNPC Ltd, we recognize this fact, and we continuously rally our partners to ensure that we give back to the society, our host communities and beyond to support the development of human capital and talent that will aspire to be the future of our industry.”
He added that, “On behalf of the management and staff of NUIMS and the NNPC-SPDC JV I would like to express deep appreciation to all those that contributed to making this project a success.”
He stressed that, “Our special appreciation goes to the Bauchi state Government, our royal father, the Emir of Bauchi, and the managerment of the Bauchi State University for the warm welcome we received and hospitality we enjoyed during the execution phase of the project.”
According to him,”This project is a glimpse of the positive impact of the oil and gas industry on the fortunes of our nation. We kindly request for your sustained collaboration as we strive to do more.”
“With the upcoming Kolmani Integrated Development Project, Bauchi and Goribe states are set to become the first 2 states in Northern Nigeria to join the oil-producing states in the country” he added.
Bala Wunti concluded ststing thst ,”We look forward to receiving maximum support and cooperation from the state governments, traditional institutions and host communities to guarantee the desired benefits are actualized in the interest of the nation.”
In his address, Managing Director, The Shell Petroleum Developmental Company of Nigeria Limited & Country Shell Companies in Nigeria , Dr . Osagie Okunbor stated that,”To us, this is another very important Social Investment project completed PDC JV in North-East Nigeria.”
Represented by the GM, Corporate Relations, Shell Companies Nigeria, Mr. Igo Weli, he added that, “Earlier this year, we inaugurated the Primary Hea entre (PHCC) at Dagare, in Yobe State. We have also completed two liv rengthening intervention programmes to support displaced families in Gujba, Yobe State, and Jere and Mafa in Borno State.”
He also expressed happiness that the collaboration of joint venture partners and the Bauchi State University has resulted in the success of the prooject, which is a social investment project that demonstrates the commitment to improving access to quality education for every Nigerian.
According to him, “The journey to establish this facility was driven by a vision to enhance ducational infrastructure, support access to high-demand IT skills and inspire greater IT ecosystem in Bauchi State and North-East Nigeria.”
“The facility, which we are now inaugurating, is a two-floor ICT facility. A key par esign of the facility is the visually stimulating collaborative workspace that fos vironment where students engage in group work, brainstorming session eation meetings. This promotes a collaborative work style essential for innovation teamwork,” he stressed,
Other features of the facility include generator house, independent water KVa Generator, and a landscaped external environment fitted with a Bicycle d dedicated cycling path.
“During its construction, we engaged the services of several local contractors who played important roles in executing various scopes of work, ranging from supplies, craftsmanship, medical services, and scaffolding. This is a testar quality of experience in our host communities,” he added.
The SPDC MD added that,”To foster sustainable development, the construction strategy included locals in several skill areas. These locals then became channels for construction milestones. In addition, 75 staff and students received hands-on data science, embedded systems and hardware engineering, to grow in-house and ensure that the facility is put to good use.”
He added that,”The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and our joint venture are committed to contributing to sustainable development and we have supported a broad range of initiatives in North-East Nigeria including education, shelter, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects. It is our sincere hop Facility will help to strengthen teaching and research at this university.”
He specially expressed his appreciation to the NNPC Upstream Management Services (NNPC-NUIMS) team for the continued support, and venture partners Total Energies and Nigeria AGIP Oil Company for stan always in the different intervention programmes that we implement.
I thank the project implementors, The Offshore Lab; The QA/QC Consultant lobal Construction Company; and the Principal Officers of Bauchi State adau, particularly the Vice Chancellor, Professor Fatima Tahir, for their pa enacity in seeing this project through this far.
He then urged the University community to see the project as their own, because it is their own saying, “They must ensure it can continue to provide these important services far into the future,”
In her remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Fatima Tahir commended the partnership for the edifice which She said will go a long way in improving the quality of learning and teaching.
The VC assured that the facility will be used judiciously to achieve the set objectives of its donation to the University.
