Imaguero College, Benin, Edo State, has emerged victorious in the 13th edition of the NEPL/Seplat JV PEARLs Quiz competition. The school won N10 million for a project and a scholarship of N100,000 each for the three participating students. This marks the first time a public school has won the NEPL/Seplat Energy JV PEARLs quiz competition.
The competition, an annual academic initiative, aims to encourage, inspire and reward students for their scholarship and teamwork. The competition is conducted in two stages: the test stage, where all schools take qualifying tests, and the competition stage, where qualified schools compete head-to-head until a champion is crowned.
The grand finale, held on July 5, 2024, in Benin, Edo State, was attended by secondary schools from Edo and Delta states, government officials, media, and some management members from NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) and Seplat Energy, among others.
Expressing her delight, Obonodi Joy, a student of Imaguero College, said, “There are no words to express how I feel; we are overwhelmed with joy. I want to thank Seplat Energy because this opportunity is an encouragement. You are building the minds of young individuals, and we cannot thank you enough.”
Marble Hill School from Asaba, Delta State, secured second place, winning N5 million for a project and N75 000 scholarship for each of the three participating students. Edo State Baptist High School came in third, receiving Three Million Naira (N3 million) for a project and a N50,000 scholarship for each participating student.
Additionally, school teachers who reached the competition stage received laptops for their hard work and dedication.
Commenting on Imaguero College’s victory, Edo State Commissioner for Education Joan Osa Oviawe said, “On behalf of the Edo State Ministry of Education, I appreciate Seplat Energy for this wonderful initiative. It’s always great when young people can participate in academic contests.
“I also want to congratulate our State Secondary Education Board, the school’s executive principal, the teachers, and everyone involved. It has been a long journey of reforming our education system through Governor Obaseki’s Edo Best 2.0 education reform agenda. I am glad to see our public schools come out on top.”
Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine), Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, representing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, lauded Seplat’s efforts in fostering growth and development in both states.
He noted that Seplat’s efforts align with the government’s vision, adding, “For us in Delta, this is beyond a quiz competition. Seplat is doing several things that our administration in Delta is also doing, which is ensuring that the potentials inherent in our children are refined.”
Commenting on how the victory by Imaguero College will impact public schools, he remarked, “What Imaguero has shown today is that if public schools are energised, they will do quite well. We hope this victory inspires the government further to energise our teachers and students in public schools.”
The NEPL/Seplat Energy JV PEARLs Quiz is a flagship programme under Seplat Energy’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) agenda, contributing to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNDG) 4 on Quality Education.
