Nations need creative young minds to continually break boundaries—Chevron MD
…Gives prizes to winners of 2018 National Art Competition for schools
The chairman/managing director, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL)/Mid-Africa Business Unit, Mr. Jeff Ewing, on Tuesday declared that “A knowledge economy is a winning economy; every nation needs creative minds to continually move forward and break boundaries”.
He made the declaration at the 13th edition of the NNPC/Chevron Award Ceremony for the National Art Competition for Nigerian Secondary Schools held at Muson Centre, Lagos.
Explaining more on the theme for the 2018 edition, ‘The Nigeria of my dream’, Ewing represented by the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, said Chevron had introduced the contest since 13 years ago to stimulate the creative and problem-solving goldmine in our Nigerian kid-artists.
According to him, “For our nation to move forward, we need the minds of our kids to be stretched to the point where they begin to undertake challenges as champions. This will lead to a better Nigeria”.
Giving further emphasis on the gains of previous editions, Ewing noted that “We are encouraged by the strides that past winners of this competition are making in their respective endeavours.
Many of them are currently studying art related courses in various schools both within and outside the country.
Continuing, Chevron boss added that “As the years go by, the acceptance level of this competition increases, and this leaves a feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment in me. This is evident in the number entries and participation we get from schools each year. The satisfaction is not only present in the number of works, but also in the quality of works submitted. The quality of work we receive every year shows we have great talents in Nigeria”.
Details of the list of winners for the 2018 edition show that in the junior secondary category, Iluebbey Osize Godson, Njoku Chidubem Kennedy both of University of Benin Demonstration Secondary School, Benin, Edo State and Majekodunmi Harry of Murtala Mohammed Airport School, Ikeja, Lagos State came first, second and third respectively.
In the senior secondary school category, Nnamdi Chijioke Franklin of Government Technical College, Eungu came top with a work titled; ‘The Future I see’, while in the second and third positions are Eche-George Ugoeze and Omiponle Prosper-both of Charles Dale Memorial International School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State with entries titled: ‘Nostalgia’ and ‘Solar city’ respectively. The winners were honoured and given awards and prizes at the event.
In his remarks, the Group General Manager, NAPIMS, Mr. Rowland Ewubare expressed strong appreciations to the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture who in partnership with the government and other stakeholders’, have made this yearly event possible.
Elated Ewubare disclosed that “The NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture is focused on unlocking the potentials of our youths and fostering creativity,” noting that “Through the creativity involved in this project, we have been able to promote patriotism for Nigeria in every child from an early stage in life”.
Dignitaries represented at the occasion included the Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Minister of Education and teachers plus students from several schools who also presented their exemplary art works.
