By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
A partnership between the University of Nigeria and Shell Petroleum Development Company Joint Venture has delivered a $3m centre for the study, management and control of environmental issues at the Enugu Campus of the institution.
Country Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, represented by General Manager Sustainable Development and Community Relations Mr. Nedo Osanyande, commissioned the complex which had been under construction since 2010 with the donation of an initial $1m by SPDC.
The Centre for Environmental Management and Control housed furnished laboratories, classrooms, lecture theatres outfitted with multimedia facilities as well as staff offices.
Speaking at the commissioning, UNN Vice-Chancellor Prof. Bartho Okolo said the building was a clear example of Public Private Partnership (PPP), targeted at complimenting the efforts of the federal government in developing infrastructure in tertiary institutions.
Prof. Okolo maintained that the facility would help improve the training of students in the field of environmental studies as well as serve as a capacity building centre for Shell and other exploratory companies in West Africa.
The Vice-Chancellor explained that the centre of excellence would blend theoretical teaching with practical demonstration in the field of environmental management.
According to him, “blending theory with practice is a major way of advancing excellence in education”.
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