By Adewale Sanyaolu
Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has praised the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies in Kaduna, describing it as the best in Africa.
Ekpo made this remark during his visit to the college at the weekend, conducted round the school by the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Mr. Ahmed Galadima Aminu.
Impressed with progress after a thorough inspection of the facilities, Ekpo said: “What we have here is the best in the whole of Africa. That is the reason I keep saying that we need to be decisive in what we are doing….Kudos to the Executive Secretary and the interim management team working tirelessly on this project.”
Ekpo emphasised the need for swift completion of remaining jobs by contractors, noting that he had shelved other engagements to visit the college given the imminent visit of the President and the need to get it ready for inauguration and resumption of academic activities this year.
“Everything should be done with speed for its imminent inauguration by Mr. President and in this way, we can restore the hope of Nigerians as promised by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
The Gas Minister also praised the College’s split-site PhD programme, saying it will help retain funds within the country to develop Nigerians and reduce capital flight.
“The money usually spent on foreign exchange would be retained in the country to develop Nigerians and curtail capital flight,” he said, saluting those who conceptualized and implemented the idea.
The PTDF has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with three UK universities to deliver these programmes.
Furthermore, Ekpo advocated for the facility to transition to cleaner energy sources, suggesting a mix of gas and solar power to reduce reliance on diesel. “Under the energy transition, we should play down on utilization of diesel and play up on gas. I want you to liaise with the Energy Commission and rural electrification agency to utilize solar power and slow down emission of carbon into the atmosphere and save the environment,” he stated.
Executive Secretary of the PTDF, Mr. Ahmed Galadima Aminu, revealed during the tour that the College’s establishment is part of the PTDF’s efforts to promote local content and job creation.
He said the school is designated as a postgraduate institute for MSc and PhD programmes, aiming to train senior technical Nigerian personnel for the oil and gas industry.
According to Aminu, the college boasts impressive facilities, including a world-class international conference center and auditorium, hostels, indoor sports hall, mosque, and chapel.
He also mentioned that the PTDF has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with three UK universities to deliver split-site PhD programmes, partly in Nigeria and partly at the UK universities, to reduce dependence on foreign training and forex expenditure. The final degree would be issued by the UK universities.
With the Minister’s endorsement, the College is poised for its imminent inauguration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s energy sector manpower development.
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