Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has commended Seplat Energy Plc for their “consistent” support and contributions to education development and excellence in the state.
Uzodimma, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. BTO Ikegwuoha, gave the commendation at the grand finale of the second edition PEARLs Quiz Eastern Asset, organized by Seplat Energy, held in Owerri, Imo State capital.
The Governor, who reiterated his administration’s commitment to educational development in the state, pledged to continuously support the PEARLs Quiz and the oil company’s activities for the overall good of the state.
He said, “Seplat, let us do this again next year. We assure you of the backing of the state government, a conducive environment to operate, and impact on the host community meaningfully, as we are witnessing today.”
“And to the students, I lend my voice to the fact that the emphasis should not be on winning, but drawing valuable lessons from participating, which should spur you to taking on greater challenges in the future to make yourselves and Imo State proud.”
Earlier, Chioma Afe, Director, External Affairs and Social Performance, Seplat Energy, represented by Grace Amadi, General Manager, Partner Relations, Seplat Energy, thanked the joint venture partners, the Imo State Government, and the participating schools for making the PEARLs Quiz worth the while of all the stakeholders.
Afe disclosed that the PEARLs Quiz is one of the company’s flagship corporate social responsibility programmes, executed in partnership with NNPCL, designed to reward knowledge, promote excellence, and provide young people with platforms that inspire lifelong learning.
She said, “This is a laudable initiative by the NNPC/Seplat JV, dating back over 12 years. We are happy that this has got to Imo State. This is to ensure that we have students who can compete globally and mould them into world beaters.
“It is not just about teaching them, we need them to also practicalise what they are being taught; and, in fact, evolve into creative minds and ideas, so that they can innovate, which is what the world is looking for today.”
In their contributions, Salihu Garba of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC); Ibi-Ada Itotoi, Managing Director of Eastern Asset, Seplat Energy, represented by Emmanuel Otokhine, Base Manager, Eastern Asset; and Prince Dr. Henry Okafor, Commissioner for Niger Delta Affairs & Intelligence, Imo State, represented by Chinyere Ibe, Esq., Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, commended Seplat Energy Plc for upholding excellence in business operations and taking the initiative to the education sector to help groom leaders of tomorrow.
Avana Model Secondary School, Owerri, won the 1st prize trophy at the quiz competition and a prize money of N5 million for school development. In addition, the three students who represented the school went home with N100,000 each in scholarship grants, while the teacher went home with a laptop.
In second place was Delight International School, Owerri, which got a trophy and prize money of N3 million, while the three students who represented them got N75,000 each in scholarship grants, and their teacher also got a laptop.
In third place was St John Leonardi Model Secondary School, Owerri, which also got a trophy and prize money of N1 million. The three students who represented the school went home with N50,000 scholarship grants, and their teacher, a laptop for teaching.
The Guardian gathered that 314 secondary schools entered for the 2025 PEARLs Quiz, 100 of which made it to the next stage. After keen competitions, four of them made it to the grand finale.
In addition to the PEARLs Quiz, Seplat Energy Plc held the STEAM competition, through which it rewarded six schools that excelled in innovativeness with the sum of N250,000 each.
The schools include Urban Secondary School, Owerri; Federal Government Girls College, Owerri; Mountain Press Secondary School; Benny Poly Max College; Alpha Junior Seminary; and Faith Academy.
The winning schools designed and presented functional electronic-driven vehicles, a telescope (for viewing people and bodies from a distance), artificial intelligence for career management/guidance, architectural design of a modern house, an oil drilling machine, a fashion e-business portal, and a fuel filling station, amongst others.
