The FUPRE SDSN (Sustainable Development Solutions Network) was inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Akii Ibhadode on the 2nd of December 2016 with the pioneer Desk officer, Dr. (Mrs.) Doris Ogeleka. Dr Akinyemi Ogunkeyede took over the mantle of leadership from Dr Mrs Ogeleka on the 1st of July 2018 and steered the ship till 30th June 2021. The Current Desk Officer is Elias Elemike (PhD) who took over on the 1st of July 2021. Due to giant achievements and need to expand and partner with both local an   international organizations, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Akpofure Rim-Rukeh decided to upgrade and establish a Centre for Sustainable Development otherwise named FUPRECSD. This Centre was established in partnership with Eziodu Initiative and Dr Elias Emeka Elemike appointed as the Ag Director.  Mr Odugala, Dr Akinyemi Ogunkeyede, Mr Harrison Agboro were appointed the Deputy Director, Technical Director and Director of Programmes respectively The Centre was unveiled on the 22nd of April 2022 at Vienna International Hotel Asaba and the opening address of the Vice Chancellor is as follows:

VC OPENING ADDRESS ON THE UNVEILING OF FUPRE CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The Executive Governor, Delta state Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, the honourable members of Delta State House of Assembly, the Chairman of this event, Chief Dr Newton Jibunor(The Desert warrior and founder FADE);The Special Quest of Honour, Prince Emmanuel Odigie (CEO Emmybless Construction Limited); Our Quest speakers Dr Andy Ilabor (DG Delta State Directorate of Sustainable Development);Pastor Peter Omaragbon (President of Nurses across Border UK), Dr Ifeoma Malo(Director Clean Tech Hub Africa); Coca Cola Plc, other important dignitaries present, gentlemen of the press, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I wish to address this honourable gathering on our efforts towards achieving the 17 SDGs as an institution, a state and a nation. As enshrined in our vision and mandate to train both middle and high skilled man-power for the oil and gas, there is emphasis on sustainable approach in all facets of operations and practice. The birth of FUPRE Centre for sustainable development is due to the drive to do extraordinary things for a sustainable livelihood. The UN 17 SDGs is a call towards solving the CHALLENGES of the world which confronts us in form of acute poverty and destitution amidst great resources and wealth, hunger and starvation, poor sanitation and poor water quality, high maternal and child mortality rate, climate change and environmental issues, inaccessibility to quality education, diseases and pandemic, inequalities and social problems, threat to biodiversity, conflicts, violence and crises and so on. All these have left us with urgent tasks of making frantic efforts towards solving the problems and reversing the trend. FUPRE CSD is a place designed to (1) cultivate and strengthen your skillset (2) achieve the most sustainable and fastest ways of doing things in order to change the system. The university through her faculty members and other high profile personnel has put in place at the Centre for Sustainable Development strategies for empowerment of individuals to bolster access to human and natural resources. Moreover, as an institution of higher learning with both local and international collaborations, the centre is positioned to mobilize resources, build capacities, unleash creativities, engage stakeholders both within and across the globe. For us to preach sustainability and be successful with it, there is need to build networks at all stages; the academia, the government, civil societies, artisans, industries, businesses and so on. Our resources are depleting which puts resignation, exhaustion, anger and sadness in the faces of our upcoming generation. As El-Hajj Mailk El-Shabazz (Malcolm X) stated: “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.” The youths are at the centre stage of our drive for sustainability because through them we can mold a generation of change makers equipped to take the sustainable goals to the next level. The proactive and diverse nature of the training in our Centre is such that awakens talents, enhances mental and physical health and upholds sustainable livelihood. It is designed to achieve the blue prints of the United Nation’s 17SDGs towards sustainable life for all.  There would be trainings on sustainable energy solutions, sustainable work environment and consumption, emotional intelligence, youth development and skills acquisition, gender equality and social inclusion, smart agriculture and food security, water purification and sustainable environment. All these are offered and practiced in such a way that they become part of us and become easily transferable. This roundtable is necessary at this point so that we can brainstorm and leverage on the comparative advantage of the existing partnership model to accelerate the sustainable solutions to the 17 SDGs. It is therefore our mandate to take giant strides towards mainstreaming the SDGs and UN 2030 agenda in our national development strategies. To end the speech, I leave us with this all important message: FUPRE is bold to share their insecurities, failures, setbacks with all and sundry which makes us more approachable, relatable, excellent, and relevant. In other words, this platform is geared towards lowering our barrier and creating a starting point for mind-blowing, action-packed and meaningful conversations towards achieving the 17 SDGs come 2030 and beyond. Ladies and gentlemen, you and I may be too small in number to achieve the 17 SDGs but we can make decisions and carry out actions that can place people, our nation and the environment on course for a sustainable future. All our intellectual, financial, moral and social contributions inspire hope and brings to conviction the fulfilment of promise of sustainability both now and in future.  Thank you and thank you. Engr Prof Akpofure Rim-Rukeh Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, Nigeria.