Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has charged oil producing companies operating in the state to intensify the implementation of their social responsibilities by initiating and developing infrastructures in the secondary schools in their host communities
Uzodimma said this through his Commissioner for Secondary Education, Prof. John cliff Nwadike at the Quiz competition among secondary schools organised by Seplat Energy and NNPC the secondary schools in the state held in Owerri Friday
He noted that education has not only become the engine of growth for Nations but also a veritable mechanism to develop and harness the intellectual capabilities of children at very tender ages for human development
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Chinyere Ibeh, the Governor believed that the quiz competition would assist to sharpen the intellect of the students
He said: ” the competition will also encourage healthy academic competition as well as promotion of academic excellence in schools.”
The state governor however, implored Seplat Energy and NNPC to go beyond organising quiz competition and donate books, provide infrastructures and other incentives to schools in the state
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Petroleum, Emeka Ngbudem and that of the Niger Delta affairs Henry Okafor commended Seplat Ernegy and NNPC for their resolve to motivate and encourage the students to take their studies seriously
They noted that the competition if sustained would arouse stronger academic competition among students of secondary schools in the state
The event was graced by some traditional rulers from the oil producing communities in the state and the representative of the state commissioner of police, the Managing Director of Seplat Energy
However, the Seplat Energy, management explained that the event was put in place to promote educational achievement and reward learning and hard work, enhance academic excellence among the students
The management, assured that the company would continue to partner with the state government in the provision of qualitative education and called on the students to take their studies seriously
Highlights of the event was the issuance of various awards to schools that won prizes at the quiz competition in various subjects
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