A Nigerian, Dickson Ndukwe Agbai has emerged the best doctorate student with the highest grade from the Newcastle University, England.
Dickson, a native of Ugwueke Community in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State was adjudged the best for the award of the doctorate degree following his outstanding thesis on: ‘Analysis of Biofuel Potential in Nigeria.’
A joint report of examiners endorsed by Dr. Paul Wilson of University of Nottingham and Dr. P. J. Dawson of Newcastle University testifying to Dickson’s outstanding performance reads: ‘That the candidate be admitted immediately to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.’ This is the very best and the topmost Ph.D viva/thesis examination grade based on the university’s grading system.”
The report further reads: “This thesis examines the potential of biofuel production in Nigerian using programming methods. Various scenarios are estimated and appropriate policy recommendations follow. It is an interesting and worthy piece of research which tackles a problem that is highly relevant to the Nigerian Government. The method of analysis is appropriate and while not novel, the application is. The thesis is well-written and well-presented, and its structure is appropriate. It is of doctoral standard.”
Continuing he said: “During the oral examination of about two hours, the candidate defended the thesis well. He demonstrated a thorough understanding of his work and he can place his research in the wider context of the literature. “He understands and appreciates the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative methods and provided a convincing argument for that chosen. The policy recommendations, which should be helpful to the Nigerian Government in its development of a biofuel policy, follow from the results and the candidate understands their implications.”
Dickson’s academic feat has also not gone unnoticed back home. A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Eco Empowerment & Sensitization Initiative (ECO-ESI), Aba, Abia State has also commended him for bringing honour to Nigeria.
A statement signed Dr. Bari Brown Malachi Elisha, secretary to ECO-ESI, noted that Dr. Agbai had through his academic feat ‘placed the Nigerian flag at the pinnacle of academic excellence in a highly-competitive global stage.’
The NGO expressed its profound gratitude to the Federal Government and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) for their financial sponsorship and support to Dr. Dickson Ndukwe Agbai and other Nigerian scholars during their programmes.
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