Two schools in Edo State and one in Delta State have won top prizes in this year’s SEPLAT PEARLs quiz, one of the educational, social programmes of Seplat Petroleum Development Company, for its host states of Edo and Delta States, which it jointly organises with its joint venture (JV) partner, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).
St. Michael College, Benin City, Edo State, emerged the overall winner of the competition; while Mc Nell Academy Secondary School, Sapele, Delta State and Gloryland Secondary School, Igarra, Edo State, emerged as second and third runners-up, respectively.
In a statement made available to Business A.M., the SEPLAT PEARLs Quiz programme is described as a unique CSR initiative of the company aimed at promoting and rewarding academic excellence while raising the quality of education of secondary school students in these states of SEPLAT’s operational areas.
According to the energy company, this year’s programme began over six months ago with a total of 574 schools, and that after rounds of rigorous and challenging stages of the competition, four schools emerged and advanced to the last stage and from which the three final winners emerged.
The winning schools and their students were awarded different prizes which included the first prize school winning N7 million project-based cash and N100,000 scholarship grant to the three students that represented the school. The 2nd prize – N3 million project-based cash and N75,000 scholarship grant to the three winning students. The 3rd prize- N1 million project-based cash and N50,000 scholarship grant to the three winning students. Also, teachers of all schools that qualified for the competition stage got attractive prizes.
In opening remarks by Roger Brown, SEPLAT’s chief executive officer, delivered by Chioma Nwachukwu, general manager, external affairs and communications, the CEO said SEPLAT was happy to note that through the programme 45,140 students have been positively impacted by this programme and that many schools have benefited with a boost to their infrastructure as many projects have been undertaken.
In her own comment, Chioma Nwachuku, said promoting educational excellence remains a cardinal objective of SEPLAT hence the various educational programmes in its host communities.
Efifia Chu, an NPDC official and deputy manager, SEPLAT JV, in attendance, expressed gratitude to all participants for taking advantage of the SEPLAT PEARLs Quiz which promotes a critical Sustainable Development Goal and promotes healthy competition among students.
