Blessing Idolor a National Diploma final year student of the Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Petroleum Training Institute, P.T.I has emerged winner of the maiden edition of Pinefon Innovation challenge “She Can” for female students of Petroleum Training Institute P.T.I Effurun,Uvwie local Government Area of Delta state
The theme of Pinefon Innovation challenge originated by the founder of the Pinefon empowerment initiative, Mrs Mfon – Otite Douglas tagged Nuturing tomorrow’s Generation of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics, STEM leader .
The competition was put together to encourage and develop female innovators in the energy sector and information communication technology world.
The challenge saw three finalists from the Department of science laboratory and technology, SLT, Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, slog it out to convince the Judges made up of principal officers from the WRPC, FUPRE and PTI on their research work.
Onemu Eseoghene a Higher National Diploma student spoke on her thesis, “formulation of oil-based drilling fluids used with lubricating oil as Base oil” while Akhigbe Doris an HND final year student, spoke on her thesis “Production of Biomas Briquette blends from afro-base materials”
Blessing idolor from same Department a ND final year student talked about her project “Design and construction of a pilot plant water purification system for produced water”
After careful examination from the Judges on the presentations, Blessing idolor was adjudged winner.
The founder of Pinefon Empowerment Initiative,Mrs otite-Douglas said the challenge is to encourage female entrepreneurs and innovators to competite head on with their male counterparts.
Mrs otite-Douglas noted that the “She Can” challenge is a vision for empowering the female gender and inspire them to participate in the evolving Energy sector, adding that female involvement has the potential to transform their family and the community at large.
She revealed that the NGO in partnership with other organizations had achieve a lot in raising tomorrow’s female STEM leaders who would take the world by storm.
She said all finalists were given the initial sum of one hundred thousand naira (#100,000 )each to execute their projects at the semi-final phase.
The participants including the winner appreciate the Pinefon Empowerment initiative for the opportunity to showcase their ideas.
Assistant to the Delta State Governor on media, Mr precious Oveisi was among dignitaries present during the competition.
Registration for the Second Edition of the Pinefon Challenge had commenced already which according to the founder Mrs otite-Douglas would be extended to cover female students in more tertiary institutions across Delta state.
The event featured presentation of Awards of certificates and cash prizes to the winner and other finalists,
Award of scholarship to Miss Happiness Kesiena of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Processing Department and
Unveiling of the second edition of Pinefon Innovation Challenge.
