By Dosu Deborah Oluwatimilehin (SIWES student, Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic Eruwa)
In honor of the 2022 United Nations International Day of Education, Heritage Energy, in collaboration with its partners—the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Shoreline Natural Resources—has granted 795 scholarships.
These scholarships, awarded to individuals from the 112 host communities of OML 30, aim to support education at all levels, covering both children and adults. Recipients were chosen based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and dedication to positive community impact.
At the Awards/Town Hall Meeting, Mr. Adesola Adebawo, General Manager of Government Joint Venture and External Relations at HEOSL, emphasized the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility.
He highlighted the transformative power of education and its role in shaping the future, stating, By supporting our host communities through education, we can help them realize their full potential and build a brighter future for all.
Represented by Mr. Edesiri Akpomujere, Mr. Adebawo noted that the OML 30 scholarship program is a symbol of their dedication to the welfare and advancement of the 112 host communities in Delta State.
The program, initiated in 2017, has already benefited over 3,000 deserving students. Mr. Adebawo stressed the positive impact, stating, The program has not only helped students access quality education but has also provided them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the future.
The sustainability efforts of OML 30 in 2023 were highlighted, including annual scholarship payments to 2,300 beneficiaries, industrial training opportunities for 130 undergraduates, and various initiatives such as infrastructure development, educational support, skills acquisition programs, and empowerment of women and youth groups.
The scholarship program, Mr. Adebawo affirmed, is part of HEOSL and its partners’ broader commitment to creating a better future for the people of Delta State.
The celebration of academic excellence includes recognizing top-performing students from the 2023 OML 30 Scholarship aptitude test, administered by the West African Examination Council (WAEC).
In addition, an outstanding beneficiary, Oscar Odemavi Osikorobia, was honored with the OML 30 Academic Excellence Award. Mr. Osikorobia graduated with a first-class degree in sociology and anthropology from Benson Idahosa University in 2022.
Mr. Adebawo expressed pride in his achievements, stating, His success is an inspiration to other young people in our host communities and beyond.
Professor Ezekiel Agbalagba, a lecturer at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), commended the scholarship program as a catalyst for human capital development.
He urged recipients to seize the golden opportunity presented by the scholarship and use it as a stepping stone to achieve their goals.
Prof. Agbalagba also praised the sponsors, HEOSL and its Joint Venture partners, for their commitment to providing not only financial support but also training and other opportunities that contribute to the development of essential skills for the recipients.
