By DAYO ADESULU
Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil has begun the training of 25 Nigerian lecturers on map-making and interpretation, under the University Partnering Programme (UPP).

UPP is aimed at funding geological field programmes in selected Nigerian universities as a means of enhancing the quality of locally-trained geosciences graduates. In addition, it seeks to improve the skills of those making and interpreting maps and also contribute to the production of high quality geological maps in the country.

The programme which is tagged Train-the-Trainer Field Mapping Workshop commenced on Tuesday, February 07, 2012 and ended on Sunday, February 12, in Auchi, Edo State. The programme is designed to expose the participating university lecturers to the current and best practices in geological field mapping and interpretation.

Speaking in Benin City, Edo State, at the opening ceremony to formally start the programme, Mr Andrew Ejayeriese, Manager, Deepwater Production, Geosciences, EEPNL, said the workshop was necessary to assist universities in reversing the falling standard of education in the country, particularly in geosciences.

He said: “The Train-the- Trainer workshop is intended to further expose and refresh the participating lecturers from different universities across the country on current best practices in geological field-mapping. We urge that everyone embraces the planned week-long activities for the inherent long term and widespread benefits.

“EEPNL like all other subsidiary companies of ExxonMobil corporation is committed to and takes a long term view of corporate citizenship as this is a part of who we are, and how we achieve our business success.

In line with this, EEPNL has so far committed about N400million (four hundred million naira) to the UPP scheme.”

The keynote speaker, Prof. Siyan Malomo Director-General, Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, said that the training workshop was a tremendous boost to the making of geological maps and to the growth of field geology.