Photo caption: General Manager, Government Joint Venture and External Relations, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, Adesola Adebawo.
Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited and its Joint Venture Partners in OML 30 – NNPC Exploration and Production Limited and Shoreline Natural Resources Limited – have presented a total of 795 scholarship awards to indigenes drawn from the 112 OML 30 host communities as part of the organisations gesture to mark this year’s United Nations International Day of Education.
Speaking during the awards/town hall meeting held on Thursday, Adesola Adebawo, HEOSL General Manager, Government Joint Venture and External Relations, restated the organisation’s commitment to the wellbeing of the people, particularly the youths, of the host communities.
Adebawo said, “We in OML 30 have always been committed to our corporate social responsibilities, recognizing the transformative power of education in shaping the future.
“The OML 30 scholarship programme stands as a testament to our dedication to the well-being and progress of our 112 host communities in Delta State.”
Mr. Adebawo, who was represented by Mr. Edesiri Akpomujere, explained that in 2023 alone, OML 30’s sustainability efforts included annual scholarship payment to 2,300 beneficiaries and industrial training opportunities for 130 undergraduates.
He noted that since 2017, more than 3,000 deserving students have benefitted from the scholarships programme.
The manager spoke further, “Our commitment to transparency extends to the recognition of academic excellence.
“We are proud to celebrate the exceptional achievements of the 12 best performing students from the 2023 OML 30 xcholarship aptitude test, conducted by the West Africa Examination Council.”
Celebrating an outstanding beneficiary of the scholarship programme, Oscar Odemavi Osikorobia, who graduated with first class in Sociology and Anthropology from the Benson Idahosa University, Benin, in 2022 he was conferred with OML 30 Academic Excellence Award at the ceremony.
Commenting on the OML 30 scholarship scheme, a lecturer at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Professor E. O Agbalagba, described it as a catalyst for human capital development, adding that it underscored the importance of diligence, determination and hard work as ingredients for success in life.
He lauded the efforts of the awardees as well as the sponsors, HEOSL and its JV Partners who deemed it fit to include human capital development training through the scholarship programme.
Barr. Martins Mukoro, a conflict resolution expert, who made a presentation on ‘Issues and Conflict Management under the Petroleum Industry Act’ posited that “the overall aim of the PIA is to foster sustainable development in the oil and gas communities.” He maintained that though conflict is inevitable, all the stakeholders need to work harmoniously to achieve the desired goal.
Goodwill messages were delivered on the occasion by the representatives of Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, NNPC Exploration and Production Limited and Shoreline Natural Resources Limited.
Present at the occasion were Presidents General/Cluster Chairmen of OML 30, parents/guardians of awardees as well as other stakeholders.
