Recently updated on April 3rd, 2024 at 12:59 pm
Don Bosco Science Academy, Ekpoma, Edo has emerged winner of the 12th edition of Seplat Energy JV PEARLs Quiz, which is one of its signature educational Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
Don Bosco Science Academy won the coveted prize of ₦10 million for a project and ₦100,000 scholarship for each of its three partaking students.
In the 2023 edition, 510 Schools sat for qualifying tests online while about 139 schools qualified from the online process. This year’s PEARLs Quiz Competition kicked off in Benin, Edo 10th October, 2023.
The grand finale of the programme, which was held in Asaba, Delta, had in attendance secondary schools from Edo and Delta, government officials, various communities from both States, media, management of the NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL), staff, management members of Seplat Energy, amongst others.
Our Saviour Secondary School, Sapele, Delta State; and Hollywood International School, Asaba, Delta State emerged the second and third place winners respectively. Divine Province Educational Centre, Edo State took the fourth place.
Our Saviour Secondary School was awarded an ₦5 million project award and ₦75,000 scholarship each for its three partaking students. Hollywood International School was given a prize of a ₦3 million project award and a ₦50,000 scholarship for each of its three partaking students. Divine Province Educational Centre got an ₦10,000 scholarship for each of its three part-time students.
The Seplat Energy JV PEARLs Quiz is a key component of Seplat Energy’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the competition is executed in conjunction with its Joint Venture partner, the NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL).
The quiz competition was keenly contested, and all qualified schools and teachers were rewarded with consolation prizes.
In her opening remarks, the Director, External Affairs and Sustainability, Seplat Energy, Chioma Afe, reaffirmed Seplat Energy’s commitment to being a responsible and accountable corporation with strong advocacy for global best practices.
In the words of Chioma Afe:
“We have built strong relationships with our local stakeholders and created a stable operating environment in our host states by implementing programmes in healthcare, education, capacity building, youth empowerment, and infrastructural development. We are mindful of the needs in the country’s education sector, our leadership role amongst our peers, and our commitment to our host communities in Edo and Delta States.
This programme has directly impacted the performance of the students, as it encourages them to read their syllabuses intensively and extensively and participate in rigorous debates.
Moreover, it provides a platform for both public and private secondary schools to interact, share ideas, and experiences throughout the programme. It offers far more than just winning; it helps students gain substantial experience, build confidence, and encourages them to adopt innovative techniques and develop their ideas and skills.”
The Managing Director, Seplat West Limited, Mr. Ayodele Olatunde, thanked the government of Edo and Delta states for their unwavering support over the years, which has been instrumental in the level of success of the joint venture. He also extended Seplat Energy’s gratitude to the NEPL and various regulatory agencies in Edo and Delta.
At the event, the Seplat Women’s Awesome Network (SWAN) and the Seplat Young Professionals (YP) Network were on ground to provide guidance and advisory through mentorship and health care sessions. Various schools also exhibited various developmental projects that are science and art-based. The projects were assessed and outstanding schools were recognised and rewarded also.
The Seplat Energy JV PEARLs Quiz is implemented in two stages, the test stage and the competition stage. The test stage is where all schools take qualifying tests whilst the competition stage is where all qualified schools go head-to-head, and losers are eliminated until a champion emerges for the year.
All qualified schools from the test stage go home with Seplat-branded laptop bags, exercise books, and T-shirts. The qualification test is done online with Seplat providing data for all entrants. Seplat Energy PEARLs quiz addresses UN Sustainability Development Goal 4 for quality education by ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for both public and private schools in Edo and Delta states, thus helping to promote lifelong learning opportunities for teeming youth population.
