Kachikwu Bags Award as PTI Graduates 1086 Students
Sylvester Idowu
The Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, was recently honoured by the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) during its graduation ceremony.
The Petroleum Training Institute, established by Act No. 37 of 1972 as amended by Act No. 2 of 1973 and PTI CAP P16 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004, is mandated to produce skilled Technical Manpower for the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry, arrange conferences, seminars for oil production.
Principal and Chief Executive Officer of PTI, Professor Sunny Iyuke, while speaking at a media briefing on the sidelines of the convocation ceremony, said the minister was honoured with the “PTI Life Recognition Award,” for his invaluable contributions to the development of the institute and the oil and gas sector.
He disclosed that a total of 1086 technologists and technicians were awarded the Higher National Diplomas, National Diplomas and the PTI General Certificates. Iyuke, said of the number, 53 passed with distinctions while
356 bagged Upper Credits boasting that the graduates were well baked to international standards. In realisation of PTI objectives, he said the institute had worked very hard to fulfil the aim of the federal government’s content policy and the 2015 change agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari by developing and training competent manpower specifically for the sector.
“Since inception, the institute has graduated over 46,000 technologists and technicians in different disciplines. “The PTI is changing its focus from local certification to international certification and training bodies.
“The aim of the collaboration is to produce fit for purpose world class indigenous technical manpower to drive the Nigerian oil and gas industry in line with the global best practice,” he added.
The Principal/CEO reiterated several achievements of his administration since he assumed office in July 2016 to include rejigging Research and Development (R&D) to carry out industry-solution research on the nation’s refineries and allied companies; collaboration with the University of Port Harcourt to commence postHND programmes in all field of engineering, whicAh would lead to award of Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng) to graduates of the school.
Others, he said, included construction of a 300 seater theatre hall on the main campus; renovation of academic block; construction of a standard swimming pool at Aladja; amongst others.