Rahma Ahmed
By Ahmed Rahma
The operator of the NPDC/SEPLAT Joint Venture assets, OMLs 4, 38 & 41, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, has collaborated with the Sapele Okpe Community in Delta State to boost the quality of education in the state.
The parties joined forces to expand access to equal and qualitative higher education with the commissioning of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Sapele Teaching Centre.
In a statement issued by Seplat on Tuesday, the project and the accreditation of the centre, which cost over N126 million, was funded from NPDC/SEPLAT JV fund allocation to the Sapele Okpe Community under its General Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) to Host Oil and Gas Producing Communities by SEPLAT.
While commending the community for cooperating with the company in the selection and execution of the project, the Chief Executive Officer of Seplat, Mr Roger Brown, said education is key to economic, political and social dynamics of the society.
He explained that access to quality open and distance education in Sapele will boost the local economy and significantly reduce the cost of access to quality education and, therefore, many parents who would ordinarily have been discouraged to send their children school because of big financial burden will be encouraged to do so in addition to mitigating against hazards associated with long road travels.
“SEPLAT remains highly committed to providing opportunities for greater educational development for its host communities and Nigeria at large.
“With the commissioning of the centre, SEPLAT in partnership with its host community, Sapele, is helping the nation to achieve Goal 4 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals which is focused on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting life-long learning opportunities for all,” the CEO said.
He also explained that quality education is a crucial tool for improving the prospects of higher income levels for individuals, and for the economic growth of local communities, states and the nation.
Speaking further, Mr Brown noted that annually, the NPDC/ SEPLAT JV invests millions in education programmes, seeking to provide the benefits of quality education to the communities where it operates.
The centre was commissioned by NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdalla Adamu, who was represented by the Deputy VC (Academics), Professor Uduma Oji Uduma.
