Energy
Don Bosco Science Academy Shines At 2023 Seplat Energy PEARLs Quiz
Don Bosco Science Academy, Ekpoma, Edo State has emerged the overall winner of the 2023 Seplat Energy PEARLs Quiz, bagging the coveted prize of N10 million for a project and N100,000 scholarships for each of the three students who represented the school at the exercise.
According to a statement from Seplat, on Sunday in Asaba, this is the 12th edition of the PEARLS Quiz, which it described as “one of its signature educational Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives”.
It noted that for the 2023 edition, 510 School sat for qualifying test online while about 139 schools qualified from the online process.
It stated, “This year’s PEARLs Quiz Competition kicked off in Benin, Edo State 10th October, 2023.”
The grand finale of the programme, had in attendance secondary schools from Edo and Delta States, government officials, various communities from both States, media, management of the NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL), staff, management members of Seplat Energy, among others.
Biztelelrs reports that Our Saviour Secondary School, Sapele, Delta State; and Hollywood International School, Asaba, Delta State emerged the second and third place winners respectively; while Divine Province Educational Centre, Edo State took the fourth place.
Director, External Affairs and Sustainability, Seplat Energy, Chioma Afe, reaffirmed Seplat Energy’s commitment to being a responsible and accountable corporate with strong advocacy for global best practice.
She said, “We have built strong relationships with our local stakeholders and created a stable operating environment in our host states by implementing programmes in healthcare, education, capacity building, youth empowerment, and infrastructural development.
“We are mindful of the needs in the country’s education sector, our leadership role amongst our peers, and our commitment to our host communities in Edo and Delta States.”
On the impact of the initiative she added, “This programme has directly impacted the performance of the students, as it encourages them to read their syllabuses intensively and extensively and participate in rigorous debates.
“Moreover, it provides a platform for both public and private secondary schools to interact, share ideas, and experiences throughout the programme.”
On his part, Managing Director, Seplat West Limited, Ayodele Olatunde, thanked the governments of Edo and Delta States for their unwavering support over the years, which he maintained had been instrumental in the level of success in the joint venture.
“The initiative we gather to celebrate today is unique, and remains a true embodiment of corporate social responsibility. It’s about using this initiative to promote and reward academic excellence among secondary schools in our host states. It is more than just academic achievements; it’s about fostering values, principles, and a sense of purpose in our young talents,” he said.
Commissioner for Secondary and Basic Education, Delta State, Rose Ezenwu, described education as a powerful tool which can transform societies, socially, politically, economically, and technologically.
“It is the magic wand that can uplift communities, and it remains the key to progress. This administration is fully committed to providing quality education for our young learners,” she asserted.
It was gathered that the Seplat Energy JV PEARLs Quiz is implemented in two stages, the test stage and the competition stage. The test stage is where all schools take qualifying tests whilst the competition stage is where all qualified schools go head-to-head, and losers are eliminated until a champion emerges for the year.
In the wake of a prolonged power crisis impacting Northern Nigeria, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu visited the Zawaciki 1MWp mini-grid project in Kano, underscoring the potential of decentralized renewable energy solutions to alleviate regional power shortages.
The project, operated by Bagaja Renewables, provides daytime electricity to the Gida Dubu community, offering a vital source of power as the region faces widespread blackouts.
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Sadiq Zakari, Managing Director of Bagaja Renewables, welcomed the Minister to the facility and highlighted the critical timing of the visit.
“Bagaja Renewables had the distinct honor of welcoming the Honorable Minister of Power to the Zawaciki 1MWp interconnected mini-grid,” Zakari said.
“This visit comes at a critical time, as Northern Nigeria endures a prolonged blackout, underscoring the urgent need for alternative power solutions.
The Zawaciki mini-grid has been instrumental during this crisis, providing at least 9 hours of daytime electricity to the Gida Dubu community, demonstrating the potential of renewable energy in addressing the region’s energy needs.”
Minister Adelabu praised the Zawaciki project as a model for interconnected mini-grids nationwide, noting its role as a sustainable solution for communities grappling with unreliable power supply.
“The Honorable Minister expressed admiration for the Zawaciki project, recognizing it as a viable proof of concept for interconnected mini-grids across Nigeria,” Zakari stated.
“He emphasized the importance of such initiatives and called on state governors and other key stakeholders to support efforts to decentralize and strengthen the nation’s power infrastructure.
By backing projects like Zawaciki, stakeholders can play an instrumental role in reducing reliance on the national grid and ensuring a more stable power supply for local communities.”
Zakari underscored the transformative potential of private-sector renewable energy projects in Nigeria’s power landscape.
He said, “As we have witnessed here at Zawaciki, private-sector-driven renewable energy solutions can transform Nigeria’s energy landscape. With the right policies and support, we can empower communities and enhance energy resilience, even in times of national power instability.”
In addition to the Zawaciki project, Bagaja Renewables is developing several renewable energy initiatives across Northern Nigeria. Among these are:
Barhim Estate, Katsina: A residential power initiative aimed at expanding energy access for households in the region.
Kura-Karfi Commercial Cluster, Kano: Focused on delivering clean and reliable power to commercial areas, this project aims to support local businesses and stimulate economic growth.
Kafin Hausa, Jigawa: With site fencing completed, Bagaja Renewables is preparing to begin technical design and engineering work for a mini-grid in Kafin Hausa, slated to start construction soon.
Zakari said, “These projects represent Bagaja Renewables’ unwavering commitment to building a resilient, decentralized, and renewable-powered energy future across Northern Nigeria.
“Bagaja Renewables is dedicated to collaborating with the government and stakeholders to scale up renewable energy solutions that will support communities, industries, and essential services.
“We believe that decentralized power generation is the future for Nigeria, and we are eager to contribute to a sustainable, reliable, and inclusive energy system for all.” he added
Power has been restored across Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, and Benue States, bringing relief to residents who endured a 10-day blackout.
The Jos Electricity Distribution Company confirmed that electricity was reinstated around 7:20 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting celebrations in Jos, the Plateau State capital, and other affected areas.
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The prolonged outage was caused by the tripping of a major 330kV transmission line between Benue and Enugu states, leaving several northern states without power.
The blackout severely impacted daily life and economic activities, with residents expressing frustration over the disruption to businesses, healthcare services, and personal livelihoods.
In response, President Bola Tinubu took swift action, summoning Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to address the crisis.
Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga disclosed on Monday that President Tinubu directed the Ministry of Power and relevant agencies to expedite restoration efforts.
“President Tinubu is deeply concerned about the reports of vandalism and deliberate destruction of essential power infrastructure,” Onanuga said in a statement.
“The President has tasked TCN engineers with bringing immediate relief to the affected states and implementing a long-term solution to prevent future outages.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria Power Company (FGN Power Company) has announced significant progress in the pilot phase of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), which is set to revolutionize the nation’s electricity transmission landscape.
The initiative, in partnership with Siemens, aims to enhance the country’s power infrastructure through the deployment of advanced technology and equipment.
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Kenny Anuwe, the Managing Director and CEO of FGN Power Company, revealed that the installation and commissioning of eight power transformers across key locations are now complete.
The transformers have been successfully deployed in Ajah, Maryland, Apo, Okene, Ihovbor, Amukpe, Potiskum, and Birnin Kebbi, resulting in a notable increase in the transmission wheeling capacity by 569.6 megawatts (MW).
In addition to the transformers, three mobile substations are operational in Ajah, Jebba, and Kawnar Dangora, further boosting the transmission capacity by an additional 151.2 MW.
Anuwe emphasized that these enhancements are pivotal in addressing the energy needs of the country and supporting economic growth.
Looking ahead, Anuwe stated that the transmission network will be augmented by an impressive 720.8 MW, with plans to commission the remaining equipment to deliver at least another 500 MW by the end of 2024.
This strategic initiative is expected to significantly improve power distribution and reliability, marking a transformative step towards a more robust energy sector in Nigeria.
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