From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
The management of Seplat Energy PLC said it has directly impacted 57,575 students within Edo and Delta States in the past 11 years through the annual Seplat JV quiz programme.
The company said it awarded scholarships to 99 students, implemented projects in 33 schools, gave out four brand new 16-seater buses to winning schools, 40 laptops, 952 Android tablets and consolation prizes to 231 schools.
Director of External Affairs and Sustainability, Seplat Energy, Chioma Afe stated this in Asaba during the grand finale of the 2023 edition of the quiz competition.
The overall winners of the 2023 contest, Don Bosco Science Academy, Ekpoma in Edo State got N10 million, while Our Saviour Secondary School, Sapele that came second was rewarded with N5 million. The third placed school, Holywood International School, Asaba, smiled home with N3 million.
According to Afe, 510 schools took the online test for this year’s competition, adding that 139 schools qualified for the knockout stages leading to the finals where four schools competed.
She said the quiz competition, which started 11 years ago, has led to a significant step in addressing the nation’s educational needs, grooming leaders and the company’s commitment to its host communities in Edo and Delta States.
Afe said the competition “helps students gain substantial experience, build confidence, and encourages them to adopt innovative techniques and develop their ideas and skills.
“NBC Exploration and Production Company (NPL), our JV partners, and ourselves are extremely proud of the Seplat JV Pearls programme. We are even more proud because it directly addresses SDG Goal 4, which focuses on providing quality education.
“It is crucial to note that education is at the core of SDGs 1, 2 and 8, which pertain to the eradication of poverty, good health and well-being, and decent work and economic growth.”
The Managing Director of Seplat West Limited, a subsidiary of Seplat Energy, Ayodele Olatunde, said the quiz competition was a corporate social responsibility of the company to its host communities.
Olatunde reiterated that the idea was to encourage teamwork, excellence, being focused, resilience and competitiveness.
A representative of NNPC, Oluwasheyi Orimoloye, described the competition as a transformative journey from MDGs to SDGs, noting that the aim was to produce exceptional, intelligent students who will shape the future.
“This competition is not just a simple contest; it is a crucial part of our educational journey. Therefore, we must pledge our continuous support and commitment to the students in our operational areas through all the educational initiatives presented by Seplat JV,” he said.
Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, lauded Seplat Energy for keeping faith with its CSR commitments to the host states through various platforms.
He said: “The boldness, eloquence and confidence displayed by the participants in this quiz competition showcase the potential that such events unlock in our youth. Indeed, this is the future of Nigeria.
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Seplat for their unwavering commitment to initiatives like this. I also call upon all oil companies operating in Delta State to take inspiration from Seplat’s contributions and work diligently to make our state an even better place for our youth.”