* Seeks robust partnership with varsity
By Ugo Okoro
An indigenous oil and gas company – ND Western – on Wednesday, unveiled an e-Library designed to serve the Geology Department of the University of Ibadan.
Known as Professor Oyawoye e–Library, the edifice is named in honour of first Professor of Geology in Nigeria and Africa, also the first indigenous Head of Department, Prof. Mosobalaje Oyawoye.
The project, according to ND Western, is part of its corporate social responsibility.
At the unveiling ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of ND Western, Mr. Eberechukwu Oji, said: “For us, this E-library is much more than a building with world class facilities. It is our contribution to assisting our students and Academic community with resources that would enable them to compete on some level of competitive footing with their counterparts in the advanced economies. We fervently hope that this facility will help our leaders of tomorrow to productively key into the global knowledge economy of today and would be delighted to welcome some of you into the ND Western family whenever the opportunity arises in the future.
Justifying the project and its christening, Oji said: “This E-library is also meant to honour an iconic pioneer in the field of Geoscience Education in Nigeria – Professor Mosobalaje Oyawoye. The values of excellence in human capacity development Professor Oyawoye represents are values we share and cherish at ND Western and it is only fitting that such a world class facility is named after a man who has had such profound and lasting impact on both the educational and economic development of our country.
Front desk of the e-Library 
A cross-section of guests at the ceremony
CEO of ND Western, Oji
Prof Oyawoye (being aided)
Preparatory to tape cutting
Side view of the edifice
He continued: “At ND Western, we like to excel at everything we are involved in, this e-library inclusive. As such, we would be delighted to collaborate further with the Geology Department to evolve a model that will ensure this e-library is put to great use and is optimally functional many years from now.
“We would like to see the same kind of excellence and discipline required for high-risk Oil and Gas projects deployed to the e-library post commissioning, with rigorous audits and reviews put in place and continuous improvement exercises regularly conducted for three years at the first instance and if sustainability is not achieved, this will be extended.
“In essence, we are assuring you that ND Western is not a Fair weather friend. We are not only passionate about running a great business; we also have an abiding commitment towards our shared dream for a better Nigeria through Corporate Social Investments of this nature.
The ceremony was attended by distinguished professional from diverse walks, most importantly members of the Association of Ibadan University Geologists (AIUG), Energy and Environmental Research Group, Department of Geology; Nigeria Association of Hydrogeologists (NAH); Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE); National Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (some of whom are products of the institution); bolstered by goodwill message from His Royal Majesty (HRM), Oba Mufutau Muhammed Gbadamosi, Olofa of Offa, the King of Professor Oyawoye’s hometown. According to Professor Olugbenga Okunola, the Department of Geology (which he currently heads) has been known for producing qualified and dynamic geoscientists whose services and products have contributed immensely to oil and gas exploration and production, solid mineral exploration and mining, groundwater resources evaluation and development as well as the overall economic growth and development of the country at large.
He continued that the vision of the department is clear, and that is: “To be a world class center of excellence in training, research and services in Geosciences,” apparently the vision that attracted the ND Western to invest in building the world class facilities for the institution.
Not a few were elated about project, not the least the President of the Association of Ibadan University Geologists (AIUG), Dr. Sam Coker, who said: “I fully appreciate the CEO of ND-Western and his team on the e-Library component of the complex for his quick adoption of the project within the last couple of years and his willingness to continue to support the project alongside AIUG until satisfied with the tools put in[1]place for the long-time sustainability of the complex.”
Mosobalaje Oyawoye was born on August 12, 1927 in Offa, Kwara State. He attended Offa Grammar School and Ibadan Grammar School for his secondary school education, and completed his studies in 1949.
He worked as a Geological Survey Assistant at the Geological Survey of Nigeria Office in Kaduna up until 1952, when he proceeded to the Washington State University, USA to study Geology.
On graduation in 1955, he gained admission into the University of Durham, United Kingdom for post[1]graduate studies, earning his Doctorate Degree in Geology in 1959.
On his return to Nigeria in 1960, Prof. Oyawoye was employed by the University of Ibadan as a lecturer in the Department of Geology and attained Professorship in 1966.