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Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun Completes Assembly of First Homegrown Modular Refinery, 50 Years After Establishment.
Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun Completes Assembly of First Homegrown Modular Refinery, 50 Years After Establishment.
By Anthony Beauty
Effurun, Delta State – The Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), the foremost manpower development vehicle of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, has achieved a significant milestone with the successful construction of a modular refinery, 50 years after it building foundations were laid. This groundbreaking development is part of PTI’s commitment to advancing technology in the field of crude oil refining and addressing the challenges posed by artisanal refiners.
Located in Effurun, Delta State, PTI has not only ventured into building a modular refinery but has also taken up the mantle of training artisanal refiners in the essential skills required for responsible crude oil processing. Adebowale Adimula, the Chief Executive of PTI, unveiled this remarkable achievement during a press conference in Abuja, in anticipation of the 3rd Biennial International Conference on Hydrocarbon Science & Technology scheduled to take place in the Federal Capital Territory next week.
Mr. Adimula emphasized the institute’s primary focus on training but acknowledged the need to address the prevailing issues in the artisanal refining sector. He stated, “One of the areas that we have been looking at over the past few years is developing technologies in the modular refinery space. We are a training institution primarily, but when you look at the country today and the lack of technology among the artisanal refiners, one of the things we have done is to develop concepts.”
The PTI is not only building modular refineries but is actively involved in training individuals to ensure that their refining activities do not harm the environment. Adimula elaborated, “We also help in training the individuals so that whatever they do will not adversely affect the environment. We at the institute have built up our own. Now what is next is to scale it up, to find ways to make it commercial.”
He emphasized the importance of equipping those in the field with necessary skills, saying, “What we have today are people who know next to nothing about refining, they just go into the creeks, break pipes and begin to boil or cook oil. No, we are doing it differently by training and equipping them with the necessary skills that will make them able to contribute meaningfully to the economy.”
Adimula clarified that the PTI’s modular refinery does not compete in scale with major refineries like Dangote’s facility in Lekki, Lagos. Instead, it serves as a technology advancement initiative in the modular refinery sector. He stated, “The facility we are working on is not to create a refinery that will now be like the Dangote refineries of this world, no. Our primary focus, which we are not losing sight of, is that we are a training institution, and whatever we develop will help the advancement of technology in that space.”
The completion of this modular refinery and the institute’s dedication to training mark a significant step forward in the quest for responsible and advanced crude oil processing in Nigeria. The PTI’s efforts align with the nation’s objectives of ensuring a safer, more environmentally friendly, and economically viable approach to oil refining.
IduwiniVoice recall that this is not the first time the institute is making wave in tech. development. It remains on record that Graduating Students in collaboration with their lecturers have built pilot size automobile engine blocks, automobile, and aircrafts in the past.
Should Nigeria desire true technological growth, then the government, industry giants, and financial institutions must invest heavily in what the institution is doing in order to breach the technology gap in the country.
It is pertinent to call on regional development blocks like the BRACED Commission, NDDC, and of course the niger Delta Ministry to champion the development and deployment of this rich tech. potentials.
HIGH CHIEF SUNNY GBEGHA JP CELEBRATES DAUGHTER’S ACADEMIC MILESTONES
By: Daire Perez
Okija, Anambra State – Father and community leader, High Chief Sunny Gbegha JP, the Egbakarewei of Iduwini Kingdom, Delta State, has expressed immense joy and gratitude to God as his daughter, Miss Gbegha Tamarauikiye Favour, successfully completed notable academic milestones at Madonna University, Okija.
Miss Favour graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Degree in Banking and Finance, earning an impressive Second-Class Upper (2.1) classification. Going a step further in her academic pursuit, she has also obtained a Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Banking and Finance from the same institution.
This has received warm reactions from family and friends with many congratulating the young lad. I a message filled with joy, High Chief Gbegha described his daughter’s achievements as a testament to hard work, discipline, and divine grace. He noted that her academic excellence brings honour not only to their family but also to the wider community.
Community members, friends, and well-wishers have continued to congratulate Miss Favour for her outstanding accomplishments, celebrating her as an inspiration to young scholars across the region.
IduwiniVoice joins in this congratulations to our shining young lady.
(c) IduwiniVoice
By: Divine Perezide
Former leader of Burutu Legislative House, Rt. Hon. Joseph Alubeze, has expressed heartfelt birthday felicitations to the his former boss and leader, Rt. Hon. Julius Gbabozor Pondi, Member Representing Burutu Federal Constituency and the Chairman, House Committee on the South-South Development Commission.
In his congratulatory message, Alubeze described Pondi as an astute leader whose antecedent smarcks of nothing but people-oriented service and dedication that continue to inspire many within and beyond the Constituency.
“Happy Blessed Birthday to you, my Dear Leader, Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi – Member Representing Burutu Federal Constituency and Chairman, South-South Development Commission,” he started.
He prayed for renewed wisdom, strength, and greater achievement for the federal lawmaker as he marks a new year. “May this new year of yours be filled with wisdom, strength, and greater accomplishments as you continue to serve with dedication and grace,” he added.
Hon. Alubeze, a former leader of Burutu House wished his principal Pondi, whose was his predecessor, many more fruitful years in good health, acknowledging his commitment to the advancement of the South-South region and the nation at large, closing his message with a heartfelt best wishes to the celebrant on his special day.
News
Good News: Presidential Amnesty Office Commences Second Phase of Laptop Distribution to Scholarship Delegates
By: Divine Perezide
Abuja – The Otuaro-led Presidential Amnesty Office, popularly known as PAP, has commenced the second phase of laptop distribution to its scholarship beneficiaries across Nigerian Universities for the 2024/2025 academic year.
According to a statement signed by Mr. Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, the initiative is part of efforts to enhance learning and research amongst students under the programme.
The exercise, which began following the directive of the Administrator, Chief (Dr.) Dennis Otuaro, makes a continuation of the first phase carried out between April and May 2025, during which over 663 final-year scholarship beneficiaries received laptops.
Dr Otuaro explained that the decision to promoting academic excellence and research productivity. He noted that the gesture also fulfills a promise he made to students during his tour of partner Universities in 2024.
“The laptops are intended to aid the beneficiaries in their studies and research activities” Otuaro state, urging the students to use the devices responsibility and to justify the Federal Governmtent’s modest investment in their education.
He also advised the beneficiaries to remain focus on their academic pursuit and avoid behaviours that could undermine their future prospects.
Reaffirming his administration’s objectives, Dr. Otuaro said the PAP will continue to achieve academic succes, contributing to the socio-economic advancement of the Niger Delta region.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his consistent support for the programme, describing it as a demonstration of commitment to bridging the human capital development gaping the region.
Dr. Otuaro further urged the youths and people of the region to reciprocate the President’s gesture by supporting his administration’s policies and programmes.
He reaffirmed the PAP’s dedication to consolidating on its achievements in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
(c) IduwiniVoice