I MAGUERO College in Benin, yesterday won the 13th Edition of the NEPL/Seplat JV Pearls Quiz competition held for Edo and Delta states. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that part of the N10 million prize will be for a school project and a scholarship of N100,000 each for the three participating students.
Imaguero is the first public school to win the NEPL/ Seplat Energy JV Pearls quiz since inception of the competition Marble Hill School in Asaba secured the second place, winning N5 million for a project and N75, 000 scholarships for each of the three participating students. Baptist High School from Edo, came third, won N3 million for a project and N50, 000 scholarship for each participating students.
Teachers from schools that reached the competition stage received laptops each for their hard work and dedication. The Managing Director, Seplat West Limited, Mr Ayodele Olatunde reiterated the company’s commitment to uplift the education sector in its host communities. Olatunde, represented by Mr Emmanuel Otokhine, Base Manager, Western Asset, Seplat Energy, said the competition was an annual academic initiative, aimed at rewarding students’ teamwork. Olatunde said that the quiz competition was a flagship programme under Seplat Energy’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) “The Pearls quiz showcases the significant role the competition plays in enhancing educational standards.
“This is our way of helping to improve the quality of education in the region where we operate. “We are involved in the whole education value chain, promoting academic excellence. ” Encouraging scholarship, and improving teaching skills through programmes like the Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP),” he said. Mr Nicholas Foucast, the Managing Director, NEPL, congratulated the winners, all competitors and thanked Seplat Energy, the teachers, and the government for their support. Foucast, represented by Mr Owunari Tomikeimeye, the Community Relations Manager, NEPL, said that over the past 13 years, the competition had empowered winning schools to fund structural projects.
“More than 57,675 students have benefited from the programme, with education grants provided to 108 students, over 80 of whom have graduated or are studying in various universities within the country. “Additionally, 22 students have been sponsored through the undergraduate scholarship scheme, and three have undergone industrial training, ” he said.
In her remarks, the State Commissioner for Education, Joan Oviawe, appreciated Seplat Energy for the wonderful initiative and congratulated the winning school for the feat. According to Oviawe, it has been a long journey of reforming our education system through governor Obaseki’s Edo Best 2.0 education reform agenda, and I am elated to see our public schools come out on top. On his part, the Delta Commissioner for Works, Ehiedu Aniagwu, who represented Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, lauded Seplat’s efforts for fostering growth and development in both states.
“For us in Delta, this is beyond a quiz competition. Seplat is doing several things that our administration in Delta is also doing, which is ensuring that the potential inherent in our children are refined. “What Imaguero has shown today is that if public schools are energised, they will do quite well. “We hope this victory inspires the government to further energise our teachers and students in public schools, ” Oborevwori said. (NAN)
