The EPNL Open Day is an annual event organized by the Public Relations Department for Secondary School students in JS III - SS III within Rivers State. It is an aspect of the company's efforts towards achieving its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals to maintain a good reputation (and goodwill) with our stakeholders, policy-makers, employees, public, etc. The Open Day seeks to stimulate and direct positively on career and personal choices as well as inform on the activities of the Oil & Gas Industry; especially taking into consideration the recent inclination of youths towards acts of militancy against the Industry. It is hoped that this forum will impact and steer these young and impressionable minds in the right direction while creating a positive image for ourselves.
The event was started in the year 2003 and till date, over 73 schools have participated and benefited in various ways. Externally, speakers have been drawn from all over the country and all works of life such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Abuja, Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Warri, etc, to deliver motivational and career talks to the young and developing minds on how they can secure bright futures for themselves. Internally, the Human Resources Division, HSE, GSR Drilling and Completion Department have always been a part of this event from its inception.
This year's just concluded event themed "My Future in My Hands" took place at the EPNL Staff Canteen on Saturday 13-Oct-2007. The 4th edition of the event went as smoothly as planned. For the first time in the history of the event, 5 schools from Akwa Ibom State were invited to be a part of the event. The schools were the Nigerian Christian Institute, Babangida Avenue; Federal Government Girls' College, Ikot Ibitong; Holy Family College, Oku-Abak; Immaculate Conception Seconday School, Ikono; and West Itam Secondary School, Itu. The last two schools unfortunately could not make it to the venue though they had responded to say they would be present.
In Rivers State, ten schools were invited this year. They included: Archdeacon Brown Education Centre Secondary School, Woji; Olivet Heights Secondary School, GRA; PHCN Staff Secondary School , Afam; RivPoly Comprehensive Secondary School, Bori; Demonstration Secondary School, Federal College of Education, Omoku; College of Education, Demonstration Secondary School, Ndele and Jephthah Comprehensive Secondary School, East-West Road; Government Girls' Secondary School, Rumueme; Braithwaite Memorial Grammar School, Bori; and Comprehensive Secondary School, Amadi- Ama.
The event started with the Spelling Bee Competition where each school was represented by one student. After three rounds of a keenly marked competition, Miss Lillian Nwosu of the PHCN Staff Secondary School emerged the winner with the second and third positions going to Master Gospel Osaki Awubite and Miss Enobong Odohofreh of Olivet Heights Secondary and Jephthah Comprehensive Secondary Schools respectively.
After the Spelling Bee were presentations by Mrs. Kofo Ati-John of the Human Resources Division, and Dr. (Mrs.) P. I. Enang of the Guidance and Counseling Department of the Federal University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
This was then followed by the very interesting presentation on the "Rights and Responsibilities of the Nigerian Child" by Mr. Blankson of the Rivers State Ministry of Justice. He also told the students some of the consequences of living against the law before introducing Deaconess I. Osondu of the Christ Embassy Prison Ministry to talk on "Life Inside the Nigerian Prison". The Deaconess brought along two ex-prisoners to give the children first hand experience on life inside the Nigerian prison. It was indeed an eye-opening and captivating presentation. The Public Relations Manager, Mr. Adokiye Dappa, told the students that the stories they had heard were not mere fairy tales as some of them may be tempted to think but real live situations. He encouraged them to always be law abiding in all their activities to avoid a wasted life.
There was a presentation from the Corporate Sustainable Development Division by Dr. (Mrs.) Nkoyo Attah before the Question & Answer Session and lunch break. And after the lunch break, the students were relocated to the car park for presentations by the HSE Division who were fully represented by Mr. Ajukwura Wokomah, Mr. Henry Orji, Mr. Nnamdi Ahiamadu, and Mrs, Nnenna Ofulue; and the GSR Division represented by Mr. Chijioke Ugbaja.
The event rounded up with the Fire Drill Exhibition by the HSE Division and a brief address by Mr. Adokiye Dappa thanking all for jointly making the event a success. It was indeed a successful event.
