(Chairman, Oriental Energy Resources Limited, Muhammed Indimi. Photo Credit: Punch news)
In the Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Oriental Energy Resources Limited, a prominent indigenous participant in Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas exploration and production, has promised a greater dedication to community-driven services.
The commitment came after billionaire Muhammad Indimi, the owner of the oil company, received an honorary Doctorate in Business Administration (honoris causa) from Akwa Ibom State University.
According to a statement from the university’s governing council, Indimi’s “outstanding accomplishments, impacts on industry and immense contributions to scientific research, knowledge advancement, mentorship and national development” were the basis for his honor.
He was honored on Saturday with His Highness Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the Emir of Kano, who received the university’s Doctor of Arts Honoris Causa, and Ms. Emem Usoro, the Deputy Governor of Corporate Services at the Central Bank, who received the Doctor of Business Administration Honoris Causa.
The managing director of Hensek Engineering Limited, Uwem Stephen Okoko (Doctor of Engineering Honoris Causa), Oliver Ebong (Doctor of Engineering Honoris Causa), Pastor Inyang Udo Tobby (Doctor of Human Letters Honoris Causa), and Elvis Effiong Osung (Doctor of Engineering Honoris Causa) are among the other honorary recipients.
Dr. Uwem Ite, the firm’s head of community and government relations, represented Indimi at the event. He stated that the new award has given him new motivation and desire for more sustainable community development of Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State in particular.
After receiving the title of Ovong Uforo Mbo, which means Chief of Progress, he appreciated his longstanding ties to Akwa Ibom State and the university community, saying that the distinction will motivate Indimi to accomplish more.
“Today’s award will provide him with a new boost,” he stated. For instance, the residents of Akwa Ibom State’s Mbo Local Government Area bestowed upon him the traditional chieftaincy title of “Ovong Uforo Mbo” (i.e., Chief of Progress) in 2017.
The recipient emphasized his company’s small contributions to the institution’s advancement of knowledge and research, citing the sponsorship of a geology department research program that benefited a number of employees and students.
Additionally, the corporation established the University Scholarship Award Scheme, which has benefited over 2,000 students from Akwa Ibom State who are enrolled in Nigerian universities.
“As a father and grandfather, he knows what it takes to provide our children with quality education,” the spokesman continued. This is one of the reasons the corporation established a University Scholarship Award Scheme for Akwa Ibom State undergraduates attending Nigerian universities.