By Matthew Denis

Taraba state governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, has congratulated the winner of the just concluded Readathon contest, Asogha Wunuji.

This was contained in a statement signed by Emmanuel Bello, Special Adviser Media and Digital Communications, on Monday.

According to the statement, Wunuji, a Taraba state citizen, read aloud for 166 hours to set a new Guiness World Record. The record used to be at 124 hours. With this, Wunuji becomes the longest reader on the planet.

Dr Kefas described the feat as a testament to the strength of willpower. The governor, who had earlier met Wunuji at the Government Lodge, Wukari, said he knew the competitor would make it.

He said, “I saw the determination in his eyes and knew instinctively that he has what it takes to go for it.”

Governor Kefas noted that Wunuji’s victory should serve as a source of encouragement to young people that they can achieve anything they set their mind on.

He urged young people to always support each other as victory for one belongs to all of them. He emphasised the need for teamwork as Wunuji’s friends did at the contest.

Dr. Kefas said the reading competition aligns with the free education policy of the administration, stressing that libraries are a component of effective learning.

Relatedly, the governor admonished parents to ensure their wards imbibe a reading culture.  He said books are clear paths to success and a veritable compass for life.

A multi-billion naira learning centre and digital library opened on Thursday at the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State with a promise to revolutionise e-learning and technology-driven teaching and research at the university.

The project was funded by  the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC); Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) and its co-venture partners; and  the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

The inauguration of the project was cheered by stakeholders from around the Niger Delta who expressed their expectation that the facility would offer students, lecturers and researchers the resources and connectivity to keep them in step with global ICT standards. “This project is a good shot in the arm of the Niger Delta University,” said Bayelsa State Governor Duoye Diri in an address  delivered at the inauguration on his behalf by the Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo. He said the Bayelsa State Government was ready to partner with NNPC/SNEPCo in other areas of development.

Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, commended the collaboration that led to the execution of the “landmark project.” Managing Director SNEPCo Elohor Aiboni, said the project was “the culmination of a vision shared by NNPC, SNEPCo, co-venture partners, NCDMB and NDU,” describing it “as a powerful symbol of what can be achieved when we unite for a common goal – empowering our people.”

The NCDMB Executive Secretary, Omatsola Egbe, represented by Director, Corporate Services, Ama Ikuru, said the project would support NDU to produce “quality graduates for the Nigerian oil and gas industry and propel the delivery of Nigerian content development.”

Chief Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS) Bala Wunti commented on the partnership behind the project:  ”Together, we have created a resource that will benefit our community for years to come. NNPC is honoured to have played a major part in this collaborative endeavour.”

Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Allen Agih, thanked NNPC, SNEPCo, the co-venture partners – ExxonMobil, Total Energies and Nigeria AGIP Exploration Limited – for providing an “iconic edifice” that would facilitate teaching and learning in the institution.

The structure boasts three floors with a fully equipped digital library and a collaborative learning centre. Local contractors played key roles in various aspects of the project and 24 individuals from the Niger Delta University acquired experience in complex engineering works through onsite training.

The social investment initiatives of NNPC, SNEPCo and co-venture partners have made a positive impact in many areas, helping internally displaced Nigerians to rebuild their lives, enhancing treatment and care for cancer patients and supporting students to achieve their educational dreams in top-rated secondary schools and universities.

Special Adviser on Media to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Hon. Kayode Akinmade has said that the damage on the newly constructed road at Ojumele-Ajegunle in Makun-Sagamu, Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State is the result of human error and not project deficiency.

Akinmade, in a press statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Monday, explained that the collector drainage for the storm water in the area was silted up due to indiscriminate refuse disposal, causing the water to  overflow during the downpour on Sunday.

He added that in the same vein, a car wash owner ignorantly built a cover slab on the drain without adequate engineering guidance and advice from experts, thus impeding the flow of water into the drain during the heavy rain.

According to him, appropriate authorities had swiftly moved to the area for prompt repairs, even as  the government was very sad about the unfortunate development and regretted the inconveniences this might have caused the residents.

The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to the report of a damaged part of the newly constructed Ojumele-Ajegunle Road, in Makun-Sagamu, Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State.

“While the State Government is greatly saddened by the development, going by the inconveniences it will cause to the residents and given resources expended on the project for the benefit of the inhabitants; we, however, want to categorically state that the damage has nothing to do with the quality of the road, contrary to what some sections of the media mischievously reported.

“The reason for the damage was simply that the collector drainage for the storm water in the area was silted up due to indiscriminate refuse disposal, which made the water to overflow during the downpour of Sunday afternoon.

“In the same vein, a car wash owner  ignorantly built a cover slab on the drain without adequate and proper engineering guidance and advice of experts, causing water not to flow properly into the drain during the heavy rain.

“Meanwhile, the appropriate agency of government has promptly responded, and repair work is already ongoing on the road, as the area will be cement-stabilised at the end of the day to prevent future occurrence.

“Without mincing words, every resident can attest to the fact that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration has been very committed to quality roads across the State since his assumption of office in 2019, and will never relent in his efforts to evenly develop the State without blemish.”