Excellence for National Dev: Sylva, Kyari, Dangote task Young Professionals
-By Kenny Folarin
The Hon. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, and Chairman/CEO, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote have challenged young professionals in Nigeria to dedicate their academic acumen towards achieving excellence and be trailblazers in their chosen professions.
Mr. Kyari while speaking in Abuja on Thursday at the 2019 NNPC National Science Quiz Competition stated that excellence should be the goal of all young professional as no nation or individual can grow beyond her intellectual property.
According to Kyari, securing Nigeria`s right to play requires sound technology, education and innovation and as such, young professionals in the academic must thrive to achieve excellence and make it a watchword.
Meanwhile, Kyari disclosed that over the years, 47,628 students have participated in the annual quiz competition organized by NNPC, and today, the corporation is proud to align with predecessors and hope that winners at the 2019 competition will follow suit.
“We are proud to say that many of them have become successful engineers, medical doctors and ICT professionals within and outside this country, distinguished participants, as you make us proud today, it is our sincere hope that you also make Nigeria a great nation among her contemporaries.
“We can’t give what we don’t have and that’s why we are investing in these children so that we can have what it requires to making a great nation out of the over 200 million smart people that we have.
“I therefore challenge our young professionals towards achieving excellence in their various area of academic interest, as they go to secondary schools we know that there are many dangotes among them”.
Reiterating the corporation`s commitment to fostering Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Nigeria, he said “NNPC as an organization will continue to play critical role in building our nation through people and dedicated CSR initiative to upscale Nigeria’s intellectual asset”.
Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva in his address stated that the quiz competition is a worthy initiative that provides the opportunity to sharpen audiences’ intellect, get them socialized whilst building a sense of nationalism and a nostalgia reference in the future.
Meanwhile, Timipre noted that considering the degradation of the environment which is usually occasioned by exploration and production activities in the oil and gas industry, oil and gas industry all over the country are duty bound to alleviate the impact of exploitation across the different communities through different CSR activities across the nation
“I know the various CSR activities’ being undertaken by many oil companies across the Niger Delta, my position is that their respective effort can never be too much to bring relief to the people”.
He added that corporate organization need to give back to the society, as it is in their enlightened self interest to do so, it gives companies the license to operate in the oil and gas industry, giving back to the community is imperative to get the support of the local community to guarantee smooth exploration and production activity.
Timipre further stated that the quiz competition is a noble venture, which directs the participant`s mind away from negative thought and idleness, he thereby charged them to always ensure excellence to be a source of hope to their schools, community and the nation at large.
“I wish to encourage you to put in your very best to be a source of hope to your school and local community”.
“Testimonies abound of how the initiative has impacted positively on your predecessors; I have no doubt that it will have similar impact on you too”, he added.
Also, Speaking at the event, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote noted that as the world moves towards the 4th industrial revolution, there is need to have dedicated and innovative young men and women who accept to be at the vanguard of innovation and industrial revolution, thus, a need for scientists and technologists who can think outside the box to combat the challenges.
He however encouraged participants to put in their best in all they do whilst making their State, Community and School proud of them.
According to Dangote, “competitions are intense as there are only limited winners but if you give your best know that you are the best in all respect”.
“The confidence in your abilities will give you the quest to excel in life, I urge you to be inspired not only to be face of intellectual excellence but surpass it in all aspect of life, and the future belongs to you”, he added.
