The Executive Committee of NAPE approved the inauguration of a NAPE student chapter in Department of Earth Sciences, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi State after review of application and documentation for a chapter inauguration submitted by the Department of Earth Sciences NAPE-UAP Student Chapter Faculty Adviser, Mr. Aaron Auduson on behalf of the Dean of Faculty of Natural Sciences and the Head of Department of Earth Sciences, Prof. Joseph .I. Omada. The inauguration ceremony was carried out by the NAPE Secretariat staff, the Executive Director of NAPE, Mrs. Esther Adeniyi and the Head of membership Services, Mr. Bamidele Ismail on behalf of the Chairman, NAPEâ€UAP, Mr. Olafioye Akinrinlola together with the President of NAPE, Mrs. Adedoja Ojelabi and other executive members of NAPE on the main campus of the University on Thursday, October 9, 2014.
Earlier before the inauguration ceremony commenced, the officials of NAPE led by the Executive Director were welcomed with a warm reception at conference room of the department of Earth Science by the Dean of Faculty of Natural Sciences and the Head of Department of Earth Sciences, Prof. Joseph .I. Omada together with the other Academic staff. He commended the efforts of NAPE in ensuring the development of Geosciences through her NAPE-UAP initiatives. Thereafter, Prof. Omada together with other staff of the department led NAPE officials on inspection to the following places in the department: workstation, Petrology Laboratories and Laboratory Room/ Equipment store. He requested NAPE to assist more in area of industry linkage for more grants, manpower assistance through the Distinguished Lectureship Program (DLP) or Visiting Lectureship Program (VLP) and equipment donation. Immediately after the inspection, we all proceeded on a courtesy visit to the office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Z.O. Apata who welcomed the NAPE official on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hassan .S. Isah who was not available because of the state government assignment. Prof. Apata deeply appreciated the efforts of NAPE and other oil and gas companies in ensuring the advancement of geosciences in Kogi State University.
The program started around 11.20am with the opening remarks by the Dean of Faculty of Natural Sciences and the Head of Department of Earth Sciences, Prof. Joseph .I. Omada. He welcomed everyone present at the ceremony beginning from the representative of the Vice Chancellor followed by the NAPE Officials. He enjoined the students to seize the opportunity of a NAPE chapter in the Kogi State University to get into the initiatives of NAPE and learn from the professionals. He was optimistic that the new status would further bring more industries benefits and linkage. The welcome address was delivered by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Prof. Hassan .S. Isah ably represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Z.O. Apata. He promised that the authority of the university led by the VC is ready to give their full support to the department and he further enjoined the student to be good ambassadors of the university as they give their full participation in NAPE program and activities.
Some of the high points of the ceremony were the presentations of the NAPE Activities and Programs; and exploring NAPE website and membership online services by the Executive Director of NAPE, Mrs. Esther Adeniyi and the Head of Membership Services, Mr. Bamidele Ismail respectively.
The main event of the day was the declaration of a NAPE student chapter in the University as the 32nd inaugurated NAPE-UAP geosciences institutions and donation of books and presentation of certificates to the 50 registered student members of NAPE conducted by the Executive Director, Mrs. Esther Adeniyi. The best student in 300 level, Mr. Kunle .J. Kadri gave Technical presentation titled “Oil Drilling in Nigeria.â€
Before the closing of the inauguration ceremony, reactions, comments and questions were taken from the students and were fully addressed. The students were very excited and full of accolades for NAPE Executives for supporting their aspirations of many years for a student chapter in their school. The inauguration ceremony which recorded over 80 students and many of the Academic and Non-Academic staff in attendance came to a close at about 1:30pm with a vote of thanks and closing remarks by the Department of Earth Sciences NAPE-UAP Student Chapter Faculty Adviser, Mr. Aaron Auduson.