Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd., a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, has formally commissioned the equipment and facilities it donated to the Geology Department, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, under its Universities Partnering Programme (UPP).

The donations, valued at N50 million, include, a 30KVA generating set, inverters, a Toyota Hiace Minibus, digital cameras and field equipment, among others. The department also got a cheque of N1, 050, 000. to boost lecturers' field allowances.

Receiving the facilities on behalf of the University, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, told ESSO that, "The investment you have made to the university is highly commendable. I commend your foresight and commitment to partner with the university in developing the study of Geology in ABU; and in supporting education in Nigeria in general"

Responding, Esso's Executive Director, Public and Government Affairs, Mrs. Gloria Essien-Danner, said the company strongly believed in giving back to the society in which it operates.

She commended ABU for emerging the first tertiary institution to prepare a high-quality map of areas of the country close to it; which was one of the prerequisites for receiving the grant. She noted that the last time a map project of similar nature was embarked on was in 1964.

According to her, "Prospecting for oil is directly related to courses like Geology. We decided to embark on this project because we do not want our children to be at a disadvantage when they meet with students from other countries"

Other beneficiaries under the UPP scheme, which also received monetary grants and equipment worth N50 million each are, Delta State University, Abraka; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Universities of Benin, Calabar and Ibadan, Ibadan.

The UPP is aimed at funding geological field work programme in selected Nigerian Universities as a means of impacting and improving the quality of their graduates. The Coordinator, Dr. Lambert-Aikhionbare, said the programme aimed at enhancing the knowledge of lecturers and students. He recommended that every Geology student should receive a minimum of 100 days of field training.

"What Esso and Mobil are looking for is that the Ahmadu Bello University and other universities chosen for this project will train students adequately enough so that they can be employed by organizations like Mobil and ESSO and contribute their quota to Nigeria" Aikhionbare further stated.

Director-General of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, Prof. Siyan Malomo, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Map Production, Mr. P. O. Oluyide said the consequence of the UPP was "to ignite the enthusiasm in field and laboratory studies, which had hitherto lost steam in some of Nigerian universities." He predicted that new, quality graduates and several geological maps, will hit the market in the very near future.