By Bolaji Ajala

The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki–moon, has commended Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) for its contribution to educational development in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria in general.

According to a statement signed by Mr. Tony Okonedo, Corporate Media Relations Manager, Shell Petroleum Development Company, the commendation was as a result of shell’s Cradle – to – Career scholarship program where 60 Niger Delta children were sponsored through secondary school.

He quoted Mr. Tony Attah, Shell’s Vice President for Safety, Environmental, Sustainable Development and Communications in Sub Saharan Africa, as saying, “We’re delighted by the reception our cradle – to- career program received in Geneva.

We are not only investing in the future of 60 children, but also helping to lay a solid foundation for the development of the Niger Delta and Nigeria.”

Okonedo said that other dignitaries present at the UN Innovation Fair, commended Shell’s contribution towards meeting the Millennium Development Goal on education, encouraging gender balance and focusing on educating the girl child.

He said that the company was urged by participants at the fair to support its operating units across the world to replicate the early learning initiatives and promote educational development.

He said, the UN fair was held in Geneva during the Annual Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) meeting which focused on ‘Implementing the internationally agreed goals and commitments in education’.

The forum provided an opportunity for organizations from around the world to showcase innovation practices, approaches and projects in education.

Cradle-to-career is a scholarship program that gives intelligent pupils, from the Niger Delta region the opportunity to have quality secondary education and having performed well, they will be absorbed into SPDC university scholarship scheme.

Cradle-to-career was launched last year, and latest report indicates the children are doing very well, Okonedo said.