LAGOS – The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and First Exploration & Production Limited (First E&P) joint venture (JV) has donated the sum of N53million to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Nigeria.
Under the JV’s Impact First Initiative, the donation, targeted towards enhancing societal welfare, would address areas such as good healthcare and well-being, quality education as well as economic growth within the nation, Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, said in a statement.
During the cheque presentation ceremony, NNPC Ltd’s Chief Upstream Investment Officer (CUIO), NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti, expressed gratitude to First E & P for initiating the laudable programme, the statement quoted.
Represented by the Deputy Manager, External Relations, NUIMS, Mrs. Edith Lawson, Wunti highlighted NNPC Ltd’s belief in the power of CSR, stressing that the Company remains committed to working with its partners to impact the lives of the less-privileged.
Wunti said under the initiative, projects and programmes executed include the provision of classrooms, ICT Centres, laboratories and other infrastructural intervention projects, scholarships, quiz competitions, skill acquisitions, and economic empowerment, a testimony to NNPC’s dedication to fostering sustainable development in Nigeria.
He described First E & P’s foresight and leadership as commendable, adding that the partner has spearheaded the initiative towards meaningful change that will ensure a better future for all Nigerians.
Among the beneficiaries of the donation were the Irede Foundation, which provides custom-made artificial limbs to child amputees aged 0-18 and Human Development Initiative (HDI), which focuses on tackling fundamental issues of poverty, injustice, neglect, deprivation, and equality among vulnerable people.
Others were the OISA Foundation, which transforms lives through interventions in the education and healthcare sectors; Cerebral Palsy Center, which renders support to families with children with cerebral palsy as well as the Niola Cancer Care Foundation, which organises awareness talks and screens communities for colon cancer.
Also speaking on the initiative, the Executive Director, Corporate Services FIRST E&P, Mr. Emmanuel Etomi said, “As an organization, we remain committed to contributing towards improving societal well-being and socio-economic development; and we firmly believe in the power of collaboration and community engagement in driving positive change. While corporate organizations like ours strive to make meaningful contributions to societal wellbeing, we recognise the limitations of our resources, expertise, and reach. We believe that NGOs are instrumental in addressing the diverse and complex needs of our communities, particularly those who are most vulnerable. Through partnerships such as these that we seek to extend our collective impact and better address the multifaceted challenges facing our society.”
The IREDE Foundation, notable for providing custom-made prosthetic limbs to child amputees, received a N20,450,000 grant which will enable the foundation to provide prosthetic limbs to child amputees. The foundation also provides psycho-social support and rehabilitation for these children. The Cerebral Palsy Centre, the first organization in Nigeria dedicated to working with children with cerebral palsy and established in 2010, got a grant of N10, 000,000 to continue providing quality therapy and care for children living with Cerebral Palsy.
Also, the OISA Foundation known for transforming lives through education and healthcare interventions received a grant of N10,000,000 to support initiatives ranging from scholarship programs for indigent children to the establishment of digital innovation learning hubs. While the Human Development Initiatives (HDI) which aims to empower vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, across Nigeria got a grant of N10, 000,000 which would support them to provide vocational skills training to widows in selected regions. Lastly, the Niola Cancer Care Foundation, renowned for championing colon cancer awareness talks and screening got a grant of N3, 000,000 to expand its colon cancer awareness and screening efforts and provide medical support for colon cancer patients.
In her acceptance speech, Crystal Chigbu, Founder of IREDE Foundation expressed gratitude to NNPC Ltd & FIRST E&P for the opportunity to be one of the beneficiaries of the grant, explaining that more than 10 children will be provided with prosthetic limbs from the Grant received.
Earlier in the year, the NNPC Ltd/FIRST E&P Joint Venture organized a health outreach that impacted over 3,400 residents of its 11 host communities in Bayelsa State including Koluama 1, Koluama 2, Ekeni, Fishtown, Foropa, Ezetu 1, Ezetu 2, Sangana, Oginibiri, Okumbiri, and Okumbiribeleu.
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