FUPRE VC Bags SMARTLIFE Ambassador Award 

Sylvester Idowu in Warri 

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), Professor Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, has been conferred with the Ambassador of SMARTLIFE Award.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SMART LIFE, Herman Van Niekerk, gave the award to Prof Rim-Rukeh at the weekend during a public lecture organised by the university on the nexus of “timing and attitude’.

Van Niekerk, also the guest lecturer during the event, described the award as “a token of gratitude in honour of the vice-chancellor’s commitment towards allowing SMARTLIFE to participate in promoting its mentorship programme for the enhancement of personal growth of the university’s students.”

While receiving the award, the vice chancellor expressed profound gratitude to SMARTLIFE for the recognition and reaffirmed the university’s continued dedication to providing students with diverse learning experiences. 

“I am honored to receive this recognition, and I firmly believe that partnerships with organisations such as this are essential in preparing our students to successfully navigate the complexities of the modern world of the 21st Century,” he stated.

The professor of Microbial Corrosion and Environmental Studies reflected on the significance of the honour and its implications for both the university and the broader community, noting that “this award will inspire us as a university to push the boundaries of knowledge, embrace higher dimensions of innovations, and to make a positive difference in the world around us.”

SMARTLIFE is a human resource development organisation globally reputed for its commitment to promoting practical learning experiences through focused coaching and mentorship; empowers students with knowledge to project themselves to grow and develop into their individual desired situations. 

It also equips students with skills in problem-solving, communication, negotiation, personal power development, intelligence types, learning techniques and mindset adjustment.

Among principal officers, who witnessed the award ceremony included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Admin), Prof Doris F. Ogeleka, the registrar, Dr. (Mrs.) Jane Omoyine, the bursar, Mr. Garba ‘Yau Nabayi and the dean of the College of Science, Prof. Ezekiel Agbalagba.

Van Niekerk was accompanied by SMARTLIFE Chief Coordinator, Chief Ese Emuedo and Coordinator, Chief (Rev) Richard Erhurore.