Peniel Academy shines at NPDC/Seplat Pearls competition

Peniel Academy, Boji-Boji Owa in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State, has emerged as the champion of the 2021 edition of the NPDC/Seplat Pearls competition, an initiative of Seplat Energy Plc, operator of the Seplat Energy/NPDC Joint Venture.

At the grand finale and prize-giving ceremony of the competition held in Asaba, Delta State, the school won the sum of N7,000,000, a trophy as well as a sum of N100,000 for each of the three students who participated in the quiz.

The second position went to Pioneer Education Centre, Benin-City, Edo State, with a N3,000,000 reward, a trophy and the participating students smiling home with N75,000 each.

Igbinedion Education Centre, Benin-City, Edo State, which clinched the third place, received a project-based prize of N1,000,000, and a trophy with the students receiving the sum of N50,000 each; while the students of Dayrence International School, Sapele in Delta State, got the consolation prize of N10,000 each having come fourth in the competition.

A total of 116 teachers of the competing schools, drawn from private and public institutions in Delta and Edo states, also went home with handsome rewards, including an android communications device each, while the teachers of the four winning schools got a laptop each.

Speaking at the occasion, Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, harped on the need for well-meaning individuals and corporate organisations in Nigeria to join hands with the government in the onerous task of addressing the numerous challenges facing the nation’s education sector.

According to the governor, Seplat Energy Plc. does not only encourage students to take greater interest in learning, but also helps to bridge the infrastructure development gaps in schools through the project-based cash prizes for schools that emerge winners in the annual competition.

Represented by the Delta State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu Okowa, the governor described as a welcome relief the company’s consistent collaboration with the governments of the two states in various programmes including the quiz, which featured Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English.

“It is no gainsaying that NPDC/Seplat Energy Plc. joint venture has made a remarkable impression in the education industry in both Delta and Edo states through its interventions in education. It is a milestone that has left a lasting impression on the minds of our students, teachers and the school,” he said.

“I feel elated when I see corporate organisations collaborate with the government to foster educational development and, by extension, improve quality of learning.

“Beyond the atmosphere of competition promoted by Seplat Pearls quiz contest, there is the multiplier effect through increased zeal on the part of our students in all the subjects.

“Worthy of mention is that the age-long collaboration between Seplat Energy and the governments of Delta and Edo states has been fruitful and rewarding.

“In this regard, we have come together today to witness the emergence of the champion of the 10th edition of the Pearls Quiz competition. I wish to reiterate that we owe the success of this collaboration to the enthusiasm of Seplat Energy Plc.

“While we appreciate the company for the sponsorship, may I appeal to other well-meaning corporate organisations to emulate the Seplat Energy initiative, as the Universal Basic Education (UBE) mantra goes, ‘education for all, is the responsibility of all.’”

Earlier, the director, External Affairs and Sustainability, Seplat Plc, Dr Chioma Nwachuku, who was represented by the company’s base manager, Western Assets, Mr Emmanuel Otokhine, said that the initiative was one of company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes prompted by the need for all stakeholders to be actively involved in the development of the Nigerian education sector.

“In line with the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), the SEPLAT Pearls Quiz ensures inclusive, equitable quality education and promotion of life-long learning opportunities for public and private secondary schools in our host states of Edo and Delta,” Dr Nwachuku said.

The deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Honourable Ochor C Ochor and the Secretary to Delta State Government (SSG), Patrick Ukah as well as top functionaries in the education ministries of Delta and Edo states were represented at the exciting ceremony, which also featured choreographic and cultural dances by students of different schools.

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