Petroleum varsity gets Shell’s nod to produce lightweight automobiles

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has inaugurated a professorial chair in the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun, Delta State, for lightweight automobile engine research and development.

The initiative would see the mass production of affordable lightweight four-wheel automobiles for Nigerian’s use.

By establishing the professorial chair, Shell would build local capacity in automobile engine development through structured postgraduate programme involving teaching and research development activities with the ultimate goal of building a lightweight viable vehicle for the Nigerian people.

The endowment, according to Shell’s External Relations Manager, Mr. Igo Well, would present FUPRE the opportunity to transcend the realm of theories to build sustainable and scalable technologies for Nigerian people.

He stressed that it is an opportunity to attract global talent to lecture and undertake research at the department and hone the engineering skills of students.

He added that the chairs have proven that with the right support, Nigerian universities can produce globally competitive talents like the Opti Well-Bore Stability Management Software developed by the out gone SPDC JV Professor of Petroleum Engineering of the University of Port Harcourt proves.

Well also disclosed that in 2016 the SPDC joint venture and SNEPCo invested $5.4 million in scholarships and in the last five years have provided grants to 7,652 secondary students and 4,435 university students.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Akii Ibhadode, said the development and production of lightweight four-wheel vehicles is crucial in Nigeria’s society to replace the precarious three-wheel vehicles or tricycles plying Nigeria roads today.

Ibhadode disclosed that Shell also provided a grant of N7.2 million which enabled the university to participate in the 2017 Shell Eco Marathon Competition in South Africa in October 2017 and emerged the most successful Nigerian university in the annual African Regional Shell Eco marathon competition.

The inauguration was witnessed the Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonaya Onu, who was represented by Dr. Sam Etatugbe.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of the newly inaugurated Technical University (TechU), Ibadan, Prof. Ayobami Salami, has solicited collaboration with security agencies in Ogun State.

He made the appeal when he led the institution’s management to visit the state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Odude, and the Director, State Security Service (SSS), Y. A. Kure.

The police boss promised: “Special attention would be given to the university. We understand the peculiarity of security for higher institutions.

Already you have shown by your visit that you understand the importance of security to the success of your operation.

Similarly, the SSS Director promised to ensure that the agency plays its role of protecting lives and safeguarding the university environment.