Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, H.E Timipre Sylva, on Friday, gave the keynote address at the Graduation/Award Ceremony of the Offshore Technology Institute, OTI, which is of the University of Port Harcourt.
According to a press release on Friday, 30 April 2021 signed by the Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to H.E Timipre Sylva, Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Julius Bokoru, he said that events began with a visit to the Acting Vice-chancellor’s office. The acting VC, Professor Stephen A. Okodudu hailed Sylva as a glittering testament of the university’s reputation of building societal icons.
‘We are very glad you are here and it means a lot to us that you still remember and support this university’
Sylva took an inspection tour of the Institute of Petroleum Studies as well as the Offshore Technology Institute which the minister described as impressive.
In his comprehensive address, Sylva spoke on Local Skill and Competency Development, local participation in the oil and gas sector and the critical role the OTI can play in Nigeria’s energy sphere.
‘I am glad that the Ofshore Technology Institute, University of Port Harcourt, has started developing the relevant skills and competence for the oil and gas sector. I am aware that OTI Uniport is wholly a Postgraduate Institute that awards MSc in offshore engineering, pipeline engineering, subsea engineering, and Energy Access and Renewable Energy Technology’
‘Ladies and gentlemen, the University of Port Harcourt is truly Unique. I am overwhelmed and satisfied with the developments at the Offshore Technology Institute and I, therefore, urge everyone to accord OTI all the necessary support to meet its vision’
‘I am convinced that the graduands are industry ready. I charge them to show and utilize their skills and competencies in the development of the Nigerian Oil and Gas sector’
Sylva thanked the management of the University for the opportunity to present a keynote address at the grande ceremony
Some political leaders in the Minister’s company were Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli, Member of the Federal House of Reps (Brass/Nembe Federal constituency) Hon Preye I. Oseke, Federal House of Reps (Southern Ijaw Federal constituency) Chief Tiwei Orunimighe, former chairman of APC Bayelsa state, Hon Ebipadei Fekoweimo and Dr Theodore Allison, both major political stakeholders amongst others.
Sylva graduated from the University of Port Harcourt with distinction in English (Linguistics) in 1986.