By Eseoghene Emuke
Don Bosco Science Academy in Edo State has emerged the winner of the 12th Seplat JV PEARLs Quiz competition organised for private and government secondary schools across Edo and Delta States.
For emerging winner of the competition, Don Bosco Science Academy went home with a N10 million grand prize.
The annual contest is one of Seplat’s corporate social responsibility initiatives for its areas of operation. The project is executed in conjunction with its Joint Venture partner, the NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL).
At the grand finale of the competition held in Asaba, Delta capital, Our Saviour Secondary School, Sapele, came second position, while Hollywood International School, Asaba, won third position.
A total of 510 schools went into the competition while 139 qualified to the finale aimed to promote academic excellence, unity, confidence, and competitiveness among students from the two states.
In her remark, Seplat’s Director, External Affairs and Sustainability, Mrs. Chioma Afe said asides promotion of quality education, the company is also involved other CRS programmes such as capacity building, youth empowerment programmes, infrastructural development and free healthcare for host communities.
Mrs. Afe noted that Seplat is deeply committed to programmes that would promote peace in their areas of operations as well as positively impact such communities through the different social initiatives.
Speaking separately at the event, the Managing Director Seplat West, Mr. Ayodele Olatunde, commended both Delta/ Edo state governors for their cooperation to see that the competition is a success.
He explained that the Pearls Quiz is meet to promote and reward hardwork in secondary schools both in Delta and Edo states, saying the feedback over the years has shown that the oil firm would continue encouraging the students.
Earlier, Delta state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who was represented by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Mr. Kingsley Emu noted that Seplat JV has done well in contributing to quality education through the annual competition.
Emu added that education was a topmost priority of the Governor Oborevwori-led administration in Delta, assuring that the Government would continue to partner Seplat and other companies in the state for sustenance of similar initiatives.
Don Bosco Science Academy defeated Our Saviour Secondary School, Sapele, by 62 – 48 points in the finals to emerged the overall winner of this year’s contest.
The overall winner went home with the N10 million first prize in addition to N100, 000 each for the participating student, while the second place got N5 million in addition to N75, 000 for each participating student and third place Hollywood International Secondary school got N3 million and N50, 000 for each participating student.
Other participating schools also got consolatory prizes at the ceremony which was attended by government functionaries from both states.
