Date Published: 07/06/10

Engr. Oniwon Institutes Scholarship Fund...Charges Ebira Youths to Embrace Peace

In his bid to give back to society, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Engr. Austen Oniwon, has instituted an Education Trust Fund that would give scholarship to indigent but intelligent Ebira youths to study at the university level.

Addressing the Ebira Youth Congress in Abuja during a reception held to honour him and two other Ebira sons, Muhammad Adoke Bello and Alhaji Muhammad Ataba Sanni-Omolori (the Minister of Justice and Attorney General and the Clerk of the House of Representative respectively), Engr. Oniwon posited that education was the bedrock of every developed society.

He averred that his decision to institute the Education Trust Fund was informed by his desire to help contribute to the education of the less privileged children in his community who may have the intellect to study but may be financially constrained.

“I am what I am today because of the education I got while growing up as a young man and by dint of luck and hard work, I was chosen as first amongst equal to be the GMD of NNPC. In order to encourage the young ones who are looking up to us, I wish to use this auspicious moment to institute a scholarship trust fund that would support prospective students to study engineering, management and the arts from Ebira land,” Engr. Oniwon informed.

The NNPC helmsman disclosed that some Chinese investors would be partnering with the NNPC to establish Greenfield Refineries in Kogi, Lagos and Bayelsa States. He submitted that the refineries would go a long way in creating jobs, wealth and socio-economic development for the people.

He urged the Ebira people to embrace peace and reunite in order to encourage investors to invest in their land, adding that without peace no community could develop.

Engr. Oniwon pledged his readiness to continue to contribute his quota to the growth and development of the country and called for support for the present administration both at the State and Federal level.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the event Dr. Tom Adaba lauded the Federal Government for appointing Ebira sons into prominent positions in the country and enjoined them to carry out their duties efficiently.

Dr. Adaba described Engr. Oniwon as a humble, committed and hardworking individual who has paid his dues in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria and expressed hope that he would excel in his new assignment.

In his keynote address, the President General of the EYC, Mallam Nuhu Ogirima spoke on the need for the Ebira people to eschew vendetta and forgive one another of any wrong. He also urged the leaders to attract development to Ebira land for the common good of all.

Other speakers at the occasion called on the youths to equip themselves with education noting that knowledge is power and only education can engender development in the present competitive world.