Hundreds of students from two secondary schools in Rivers State were all smiles as TotalEnergies E&P Nigeria Limited distributed solar lamps to them ahead of preparations for their examinations.
The schools, located in the Oil Mining Lease 58 communities are Government Secondary School, Akabuka, and Community Secondary School, Oboburu, both in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The gesture, which took place during a visit to the schools by officials of the oil and gas company demonstrates TotalEnergies Corporate Social Responsibility.
It is aimed at supporting Senior Secondary School 3 students who are preparing for their final examinations including the West African Examinations Council, the National Examinations Council as well as the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
Speaking at a brief but colourful ceremony at the Government Secondary School, Akabuka, the Managing Director of TotalEnergies, Mr Matthieu Bouyer, said the company is committed, not only to the provision of cleaner, cheaper and more accessible energy but also to the sustainable development of its host countries and communities, especially the welfare of children.
Bouyer, represented by the General Manager of of Community Affairs, Godspower Nwachukwu, stated that the gift was borne out of the difficulties school children in rural and semi-urban communities without access to stable power supply experience in studying after sundown.
He stated, “TotalEnergies stepped in to address this worrisome situation through the Light Up Naija School Initiative.
“By providing solar-powered lamps to pupils in affected areas, we will not only be empowering them with more reading time but also helping to illuminate the path to success for the beneficiaries.”
Bouyer disclosed that some of the solar lamps were donated by staff of TotalEnergies from their resources.
He added, “Working in partnership with the donor staff, the company has also provided hundreds of these lamps to ensure that as many students as possible benefit from the initiative.
“The company is passionate about this project as it aligns with our sustainable drive, especially Community and Care, which highlight the importance we place on the sustainability of the community we serve, and the way we care for the people.”
Noting that beneficiary schools were selected by donors through a transparent and credible voting process, Bouyer urged the beneficiaries to put the items to good use and expressed the optimism that the initiative will yield “tremendous benefit shortly.”
In his remarks, the Manager of Capacity Development, TotalEnergies, Mr Jacob Ologe, said the gesture is to assist children of the host communities prepare for the forthcoming examinations.
Ologe revealed that a similar distribution of solar lamps was also provided to some other secondary schools within Egi land in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, their area of operations, even as he reiterated the company’s commitment to promoting education and youth development.
In his remark, the Principal of GSS Akabuka, Mr Uti Uche, lauded the multinational company for its concern for the students, saying, “For all you have been doing, especially in Egi land, we pray to God to continue to give you the strength to do more in our communities.”
Similarly, one of the elated beneficiaries and the Senior Prefect of GSS, Akabuka, Oti Emmanuel, thanked TotalEnergies for the gesture, emphasizing that the solar lamps will enhance their studies.
Our correspondent who covered the event reports that 114 solar lamps were distributed to students of
Government Secondary School, Akabuka and 137 were gifted to students of the Community Secondary School, Oboburu, respectively, bringing the total to 251.
