Peniel Academy, Boji-Boji, Owa, in Delta, on Wednesday emerged winner of the 10th edition of Seplat Energy PlC Pearls Quiz competition for secondary students in Edo and Delta states.
The grand finale which took place in Asaba, Delta, saw Pioneer Education Centre, Benin, and Igbinedion Education Centre, Benin, both in Edo, emerge second and third respectively.
However, Dayrence International School, Sapele, also in Delta, came fourth after losing to Igbinedion Education Centre at the keenly-contested exercise.
Addressing the audience, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta urged corporate organisations to emulate Seplat in promoting quality education in Nigeria through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the state.
The governor, represented by the State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu, said the age-long collaboration between Seplat and the governments of Edo and Delta in the education sector has been fruitful and rewarding.
He appreciated Seplat for the gesture and support and thanked the teachers for their commitment towards preparing the students for the competition.
“It is no gainsaying that Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC)/Seplat Energy Plc has made a remarkable impression in the education industry in both Delta and Edo States.
“It is a milestone that has left a lasting impression in the minds of our students, teachers and the schools through interventions in education.
“I feel elated when I see corporate organisations collaborate with government to foster educational development and by extension improve quality of our learning.
“Beyond the atmosphere of competition promoted by the Seplat Pearls Quiz contest, there is the multiplier effect through increased zeal on the part of our students in all the subjects.
“While we appreciate the company for the sponsorship, may I appeal to other well-meaning corporate organisations to emulate the Seplat initiative as the Universal Basic Education (UBE) mantra goes ‘education for all is the responsibility of all’,” Okowa said.
In her address, Dr Chioma Nwachuku, Director, External Affairs and Sustainability, Seplat, said that supporting education has remained its flagship programme.
Nwachuku, represented by Mr Emmanuel Otokhine, Base Manger, Western Asset, Seplat, said the company is committed to bridging the gap in the education sector by fostering and promoting qualitative education.
According to Nwachuku, Seplat is on the mission to make education better by creating a pool of qualified and competent students to fill that gap by rewarding academic excellence.
“This competition began about 10 years ago and it has afforded us opportunity to train both teachers, students and provide infrastructure for schools to be comfortable for learning”.
She congratulated those students, teachers and schools who made it to the grand finale, adding that it was a keenly-contested event.
The students were quizzed in English language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
The high point of the occasion was the presentation of prizes to winners as the company splashed N7 million project prize and each of the three participating students of Peniel Academy got N100,000 for coming first in the competition.
Also, N3 million for project and N75,000 cash prize to students of Pioneer Education Centre; with N1 million project and N50,000 each for students of Igbinedion Education Centre, for emerging second and third position respectively.
The company announced that all the 116 teachers of the competing schools also went home with handsome rewards, including an android phone each, while a laptop computer was given to each of the teachers from the last four schools in the competition and N10,000 consolation prizes to all the students that enlisted in the contest.
In an interview, 15-year-old Master Nwachuku Ogadi, team leader of Peniel Academy, winner of the competition, said it was a worthwhile event.
While thanking Seplat, he encouraged other students to keep working hard as it could be their turn to win the competition in future.
