Recently updated on December 21st, 2020 at 12:56 pm
Ubon James has emerged the winner of the second edition of the annual national oil and gas essay competition organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
Ubon James is a first year student of Electronics and Computer Technology at the University of Calabar, Cross River State.
The essay submitted by the 27-year-old was adjudged the best amongst over 3000 entries contributed by first and second year students from universities across the country.
He was rewarded with a cash prize of ₦500,000, a laptop and a plaque.
The essay topic of the competition was titled: “Harnessing Local Content Potentials in the Oil And Gas Industry For Nigeria’s Industrial and Economic Development.”
The top four finalists included Mr. Peter Abegunde, a 200-level law student of Joseph Ayo Babalola University; Deseye Odubo, a 100 level Medical Student of Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State; Melex Tamaradoubra, a student of Medical Laboratory, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt and Osatohanmwen Ebhodaghe of the University of Benin.
Receiving the prize, Ubon James admonished other government agencies and multinational companies in Nigeria to emulate the example of NCDMB to promote programmes that will bring out the best in youths. He also charged young people to shun vices and channel their energies towards positive endeavors.
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote who was represented by the General Manager, Corporate Communication and Zonal Coordination, Dr. Ginah O. Ginah explained that the essay competition provides a good opportunity for the Board to engage Nigerian youths, especially the undergraduates and introduce them to the concept of Nigerian Content.
According to Engr. Simbi Wabote:
“It is important to conscientize the young ones on Nigerian Content and the nexus to developing and industrializing our economy.
We decided to make the contest pan-Nigeria so as to create geographical balance and engender keen competition.
We also wanted to make the point that Nigerian Content activities and implementation is open to Nigerians from all geopolitical zones.”
