Lucy Ifeoma of FUPRE Emerges Overall Winner of Pinefon Innovation Challenge

By Wilson Macaulay

WARRI

Miss Lucy Ifeoma Ugwuanyi, a student of the Petroleum Engineering Department of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun (FUPRE), Delta State, has emerged as the overall winner of the third edition of the Pinefon Innovative Challenge (SHE CAN 3.0).
The intellectually stimulating competition took place yesterday on Friday March 6, 2026, at the lecture theatre of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, drawing students, academics, development partners, and stakeholders committed to promoting innovation among the girl child.
The event, themed “Nurturing Tomorrow’s Generation of STEM Leaders,” featured three outstanding female finalists from higher institutions in Delta State who presented innovative research solutions aimed at addressing contemporary scientific and environmental challenges. Lucy Ifeoma Ugwuanyi captivated the panel of judges with her presentation titled “Drilling Fluid Formulation for High Pressure and High Temperature Wells,” a topic that focused on the growing need for technological advancement in petroleum engineering operations.
Other finalists who made impressive presentations included Chukwuka Chioma Favour of the Petroleum Training Institute, who spoke on “Investigation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHs), Lead, Zinc and Cadmium Content of Crude Oil Contaminated River Water Samples.” Elizabeth Onome Anthony presented a research work on “Formulation of Green Nanoparticles for Scale Inhibition and Removal,” demonstrating innovative approaches to environmental remediation and sustainable scientific solutions.
Announcing the results, the Chief Judge of the competition, Prof. Kenneth Ibe of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, described the founder and Managing Director of the Pinefon Empowerment Initiative, Mrs. Mfon Otite-Douglas, as “a woman with a heart of gold whose vision will continue to impact the lives of young women across Delta State and beyond.” He noted that the initiative has significantly contributed to the intellectual and social empowerment of the female child.
Prof. Ibe declared Lucy Ifeoma Ugwuanyi as the overall winner, with Chukwuka Chioma Favour finishing in second position and Elizabeth Onome Anthony taking third place. He commended all participants for their brilliance and encouraged students across tertiary institutions to take advantage of the academic platform to sharpen their research skills and develop innovative solutions to societal challenges.
In her acceptance speech, an excited Lucy Ifeoma Ugwuanyi gave glory to God Almighty, whom she described as the author of knowledge and the source of all good things. She expressed deep gratitude to her lecturers for nurturing her academic journey and appreciated her parents for the financial sacrifices they made to support her education. The young scholar also revealed that the victory was particularly special because it coincided with her birthday on March 6.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Founder and Managing Director of the Pinefon Empowerment Initiative, Mrs. Mfon Otite-Douglas, encouraged female students in higher institutions to develop innovative ideas capable of solving pressing societal problems. She reiterated the organization’s commitment to empowering the girl child through education and innovation, announcing that registration for the fourth edition of the Pinefon Innovative Challenge has already commenced.
The event also featured goodwill messages from partner organizations including the Rotary Club of Edjeba, represented by Mrs. Okonkwo R. I., Orchids International represented by Mrs. Akinmoji Tracy, and the Rotary Club of Uvwie Renaissance. In a related presentation, Adeosun Olabisi of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency educated participants on the dangers of drug abuse and its far-reaching consequences. The colourful event ended with a vote of thanks by the General Manager of Pinefon Empowerment Initiative, Emmanuela Ememu, who reaffirmed that the initiative, established in February 2022, will continue to champion empowerment programmes for widows and the girl child across Nigeria.