Community Leaders, Scholars Applaud Egbin Power’s Scholarship Programme
… Describe Initiative as Impactful
CHIGOZIE AMADI
Community leaders, stakeholders, and students have commended Egbin Power’s annual scholarship programme for its significant contribution to expanding access to quality education and promoting academic excellence among students in its host communities.
The commendation came during the scholarship award ceremony at Egbin Power Clubhouse Auditorium, where stakeholders applauded the initiative for creating meaningful educational opportunities for young people and strengthening the company’s commitment to community development.
Now in its 11th edition, the scholarship programme underscores Egbin Power’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which advocates “inclusive and equitable quality education and the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all.”
Speaking at the ceremony, High Chief Babatunde Ogunmuyiwa, the Odofin of Ijede, who represented His Royal Majesty, Oba Adefarasin Hassan, the Alajede of Ijede Kingdom, praised Egbin Power for sustaining the initiative, noting its positive impact on students and families across the host communities.
“This scholarship has changed the story for many students and families in our communities. It inspires our young people to work hard and dream higher. We thank the management and staff of Egbin Power for their dedication and focus on ensuring the continuity of the scholarship programme,” he said.
Similarly, speaking on behalf of the six Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) representing the host communities, Wahab Bello commended the Generation Company (GenCo) for its continued investment in the future of young people and the development of its host communities.
“Egbin Power has demonstrated that it cares about the future of our children and the development of our communities. That is why the scholarship has come to stay. We commend the organisers for their hard work and thoroughness, and we urge the beneficiaries to make the best of this opportunity,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer, Egbin Power, Mokhtar Bounour, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to advancing education, expanding opportunities, and promoting lifelong learning as key drivers of sustainable development.
“Education is one of the strongest tools for change. The scholarship programme is a deliberate, long-term investment in young people who will become the leaders, professionals, and change-makers of tomorrow. At Egbin Power, we create sustainable pathways for lasting impact, and we are proud to power that progress through this platform,” he said.
The scholarship beneficiaries also expressed their appreciation to Egbin Power and their respective communities for the opportunity to pursue academic excellence. Royalty Olasunkanmi, who emerged as the Top Scholar in the Host Community Category, said, “I am grateful to Egbin Power and my community for giving me this opportunity. I encourage other students to put more effort into their studies to be part of the scholarship programme.”
Similarly, Mercy, who emerged as the Top Scholar in the Academic Excellence Award Category, described the scholarship as a source of encouragement to pursue her academic ambitions. “This scholarship programme has given me the courage to keep aiming high in my studies. I thank Egbin Power for creating this opportunity for students,” she said.
Egbin Power continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable community development through strategic corporate social responsibility initiatives spanning education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and community infrastructure. These interventions reflect the company’s broader vision of creating lasting value beyond power generation by empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and contributing to social and economic development.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
PNC 2026: NCDMB, DMG Affirm Collaboration with Bayelsa Govt, Unveil New Activities
As preparations intensify for the 2026 edition of the Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Forum, slated for November 30 – December 3, 2026, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and its partner, DMG Events, have strengthened their long-standing collaboration with the Bayelsa State Government, to ensure the seamless hosting of the flagship industry gathering.
This commitment was underscored on Tuesday during a strategic engagement between officials of NCDMB and DMG Events with the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Peter Pereotubo Akpe, at the Government House in Yenagoa.
The meeting was convened to appreciate the State Government for its close partnership in convening the PNC over the past 15 years and to solicit continued assistance for the 15th edition, which will hold at the NCDMB Conference Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Leading the delegation to the meeting, General Manager, Corporate Communications Division, NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, highlighted the economic impact of the PNC Forum, as well as other NCDMB’s activities and programmes in Bayelsa State.
He conveyed the appreciations of the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe to the Bayelsa State Government for its significant contributions to the PNC, particularly in hosting the opening banquet and supporting the Youth PNC segment, which exposes young persons in the Niger Delta region to emerging opportunities in the oil and gas industry and core competencies for successful careers in other key sectors of the economy.
Dr. Ezeobi also alluded to new initiatives introduced for the 2026 PNC Forum, designed to invigorate the conference and enhance value for participants, while Senior Manager, Zonal Coordination, NCDMB, Mr. Adebayo Joseph, spoke on plans for the Youth PNC.
Leader of the DMG team, Ms. Olamide Oloko, outlined the main PNC programme and the new ideas such as the Local Content Roundtable for November 30 and the two day programme for Local Community Contractors (LCCs), to help scale their operations. Other innovative initiatives at this year’s PNC include the breakout session, designed to gather stakeholders’ perspectives that will shape the trajectory of Nigerian Content over the next decade, and the Townhall Session with key industry leaders, including the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, the Group CEO of NNPC Ltd, the Chief Executive of NUPRC, the Chairman of OPTS, and the Chairman of PETAN.
In his response, Deputy Governor Akpe pledged Bayelsa State’s continued collaboration, assuring delegates of adequate security and reaffirming the State’s tradition of hosting the gala dinner and actively participating in the main conference as well as the Youth PNC. He commended NCDMB for integrating some participants from the 2025 edition of the Youth PNC into its capacity building programmes, and demanded for increased participation of senior oil and gas industry officials in the welcome gala dinner.
The Practical Nigerian Content Forum, hosted annually by NCDMB and DMG Events, serves as a strategic platform to review and track local content implementation and chart new directions for investment and growth in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The 2026 edition is expected to deepen collaboration, strengthen local participation, and enhance value retention across the sector.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Heritage Energy Leadership Calls for Everyday Commitment to Zero Harm Across OML 30
Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), operator of OML 30 on behalf of the Joint Venture between NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) and Shoreline Natural Resources Limited (SNRL), has called for sustained commitment to Zero Harm across the asset, emphasising that strong health, safety, security and environmental (HSSE) performance depends on how consistently safe practices are applied in everyday operations.
The call was reinforced during Heritage Energy’s 2026 HSSE Week, themed “One Team. One Goal. Zero Harm,” the company’s inaugural HSSE Week programme, which focused on strengthening HSSE awareness and reinforcing the behaviours required to protect people, the environment, the asset and surrounding communities across OML 30.
Chief Operating Officer, Wessel de Haas, said achieving Zero Harm requires more than an aspiration, stressing the need for disciplined and integrated action across the organisation.
“The type of skills and the type of things you need to do to work safely to cause no harm to the business, the environment, the asset, the community and no harm to people. This requires integration, working together, attention to details, sticking to procedures and care for each other.”
De Haas also highlighted the importance of individual awareness in managing operational risk, noting that employees may identify dangers that others have not seen.
“You might see danger that somebody else does not see. And that is an important thing to realise.”
General Manager, Operations and Integrity, Nelson Wilbert, similarly stressed that the value of HSSE initiatives should ultimately be measured by their impact on operational behaviour and outcomes.
“I want us to focus on outcome. These are just a step into something greater,” he said.
Wilbert challenged the workforce to consider what should change in their day-to-day work once the programme had ended.
“What will you do different because of this week, after the banners come down? After everybody goes back to their day-to-day job, what are you going to do different?”
He emphasised that the knowledge and tools shared during the programme must translate into practical application across the organisation.
“Ultimately, it is about… all these tools that we have gone through, all these sessions, or all these ideas, all this information that we have shared amongst ourselves, we truly need to use them. We really need to use them.”
Wilbert also called for greater personal ownership of health and safety, particularly where employees encounter conditions that could expose themselves or others to harm.
“The same applies to, if it is not you, you saw the unsafe condition and you are like, ah, let’s just manage it. And then your friend gets hurt, or maybe even worst case, passes on. You will live with that pain even longer than or harder than physical harm to yourself.”
Across the leadership message, the emphasis is clear: Zero Harm depends on the quality of decisions made in the course of everyday operations, recognising risk, maintaining standards, intervening when necessary and applying the lessons that strengthen how work is done across OML 30.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
School Support Initiative: Dangote Cement boosts learning in Lagos Host Community
…donates Learning Facilities to Lady-Lak schools in Apapa
Dangote Cement Plc has reinforced its commitment to educational advancement and community development with the donation of classroom furniture and learning materials to Ladi-Lak Nursery and Primary School in Apapa, one of its host communities in Lagos.
The intervention, being carried out by the Cement’s Clinker Terminal under its school support programme underscores Dangote Cement’s continued investment in programmes that enhance the welfare and academic development of children in its host communities. The initiative included provision of chairs, tables and other essential educational resources, is designed to improve the learning environment for pupils and support teachers in delivering quality education.
Excitement filled the atmosphere at Ladi-Lak Nursery and Primary School, Apapa, as pupils and teachers welcomed the donation as a game changer in the educational facilities in the school, a gesture aimed at creating a more conducive environment for learning and academic excellence.
The donation forms part of the company’s broader Social Investment Programme, which focuses on education, healthcare, infrastructure development and economic empowerment across communities where it operates.
Group Head of Social Performance, Dangote Cement, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, said the intervention reflects the company’s enduring commitment to supporting communities and complementing government efforts in critical areas of development.
He explained that Dangote Cement’s community investments extend beyond its manufacturing operations and are strategically designed to promote sustainable development.
“At Dangote, we continuously seek opportunities to support education, healthcare, infrastructure development and economic empowerment. These interventions reflect our belief that thriving communities are essential to sustainable growth,” he stated.
Mr. Olayiwola emphasized that all communities connected to the company’s operations remain important stakeholders in its development agenda. He encouraged the pupils to take their studies seriously, stressing that education remains a vital tool for personal growth and future success.
He urged them to make the most of the educational opportunities available to them and remain focused on achieving their aspirations through hard work and learning.
Speaking while receiving the items, Head Teacher of Ladi-Lak Nursery and Primary School, Mrs. Ayoku Fatima Adenike, expressed profound appreciation to Dangote Cement for responding positively to the school’s request for support.
According to her, the intervention has generated excitement among pupils and staff, while significantly improving facilities available for teaching and learning. She acknowledged the critical role that partnerships between educational institutions and responsible corporate organisations play in addressing infrastructural challenges, improving learning outcomes and creating better opportunities for young people.
“We are sincerely grateful to Dangote Cement for this kind gesture. What once seemed like a dream has become a reality today. This support demonstrates the company’s commitment to education and the well-being of our children,” she said.
Mrs. Adenike noted that the newly donated furniture and educational materials would greatly enhance classroom comfort and improve the overall learning experience for pupils. She also prayed for the continued success of the company and appealed for sustained collaboration to address other developmental needs of the school.
Also speaking at the event, the Head of Clinker Exports and Transport, Engineer Boluwarin Aladeniyi, described the donation as an investment in the future of the children and a demonstration of the company’s confidence in their potential.
He encouraged the pupils to remain disciplined, respect their teachers and parents, and strive for excellence in their academic pursuits.
“The facilities being presented today are more than physical assets. They are a reminder that organisations and individuals believe in your abilities and are committed to helping you succeed,” he said.
Engineer Aladeniyi formally handed over the educational materials and furniture to the school management, expressing confidence that the items would be properly maintained and utilized for the benefit of current and future pupils.
He noted that the project represents another opportunity for Dangote Cement to make meaningful contributions to grassroots educational development while strengthening its relationship with host communities.
This initiative further reflects Dangote Cement’s belief that investment in children and educational infrastructure is fundamental to building stronger, more resilient and sustainable communities. Through sustained interventions in education and other key sectors, Dangote Cement continues to demonstrate its commitment to creating shared value and improving the quality of life in the communities it serves.
