A Community Secondary School (CSS) Okuru-Ama has emerged winner of the 2025 Book Reading contest, an educational initiative organized by TotalEnergies Nigeria as part of its Open Day Event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The competition, which featured more than 10 senior secondary schools, was designed to promote literacy, inspire intellectual curiosity, and identify future leaders from the Niger Delta region.
Participating schools included Enitona High School, Immaculate High School, Model Secondary School GRA Port Harcourt, Redeemers College, and GCSS Borikiri. The contest saw the students of Community Secondary School Okuru-Ama distinguish themselves through eloquence, comprehension, and critical engagement with the selected book, ultimately earning them the top position in the 2025 edition.
Speaking on behalf of the winning school, Hellen Amakiri, a student of CSS Okuru-Ama, expressed appreciation to TotalEnergies for the opportunity and for the exposure gained through the reading initiative. She noted that the program had not only improved her reading and communication skills but also broadened her understanding of life and career choices.
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“We are grateful to TotalEnergies for providing a platform that motivates students like us to pursue knowledge and excellence. This experience has helped us acquire valuable insights that will guide our choices for a successful future,” Amakiri said.
In his remarks, Olivier Casesolles, Deputy Managing Director, Joint Venture Asset, TotalEnergies Nigeria, said the initiative was not just about reading books but about nurturing critical minds capable of empathy, creativity, and innovative thinking.
“For over 60 years, TotalEnergies has been passionate about lighting up minds and empowering future generations through education. Our mission goes beyond energy—it is about building the human capacity that will shape Africa’s sustainable future,” he said.
Casesolles highlighted that the company’s long-standing scholarship schemes have supported thousands of Nigerian students in accessing quality education. He revealed that more than 700 petroleum engineers have graduated from the Institute of Petroleum Studies (IPS), University of Port Harcourt, under programmes supported by TotalEnergies.
He added that the company’s educational interventions also include the provision of solar lamps for students in rural areas, the construction of classroom blocks and science laboratories, and the training of Nigerian university lecturers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA—initiatives aimed at improving teaching quality and learning outcomes nationwide.
“The lives our young people lead today, and the ones they will live tomorrow, depend on the books they read and the knowledge they acquire. Reading opens doors that talent alone cannot,” Casesolles said, recalling that his own career journey began through a love for books.
Adesua Adebola, General Manager, Country Services, TotalEnergies, described the book reading contest as a powerful educational tool designed to empower and inspire. She urged students to embrace reading as the foundation for personal growth and lifelong success.
“Reading is the key that unlocks a brighter future. Every page you open is a step toward wisdom, confidence, and opportunity. This contest is part of our effort to build a generation that thinks, questions, and creates,” Adebola said.
Representing the Rivers State Ministry of Education, Charles Gbaranwi, a Deputy Director, conveyed the appreciation of the Permanent Secretary, Azibaolalare Uzoma Wogu, who commended TotalEnergies for its contributions to educational advancement in the state. He assured that the Ministry would continue to partner with the company in future educational initiatives that promote excellence among students.
In his goodwill message, Adolphus Akwumakwuhie, a legal practitioner and “Role Model of the Day,” encouraged students to make the most of their youth by focusing on academics, moral discipline, and purposeful living. He cautioned against social vices such as drug abuse and peer pressure, warning that such distractions could derail their potential.
“The morning period of your life is your preparation stage—how you spend it determines what your afternoon and evening will look like,” Akwumakwuhie advised.
The Book Reading and Open Day Event by TotalEnergies continues to serve as a platform for nurturing intellectual curiosity and discipline among young Nigerians. Since its inception, the programme has strengthened reading culture, encouraged moral development, and inspired students across Rivers State and beyond to pursue excellence both in school and in life.
