TotalEnergies shows the unlocking of next generation greatness in Niger Delta

…Points to education support, scholarship awards, and Book Reading with Open Day to groom young scholars

TotalEnergies has revealed how they are grooming the next generation of the Niger Delta elites. The company said they are not only building energy future of the world but unlocking the reservoir of the Niger Delta next leaders.

They said last week in Port Harcourt that the company is doing that through sustainable and strategic investment in education, schools infrastructure, scholarship awards, extra-curicula activities such as Book Reading contests and Open Event days.

The company particularly said: “We are investing in education and youth development to unlock the next chapter of greatness”.

Olivier Casesolles, deputy managing director (DMD) Total Energies Joint Venture Asset, said the initiative of encouraging young ones to read, is not simply about increasing literary powerhouse and study of Literature but about nurturing minds capable of empathy, creativity, and critical thinking. Most observers said the oil region was full of brotherly love, communalis, peace, help for one another, and bonding. Now, they said, most of those virtues have vanished and eplaced with violent tendencies and selfish acquisition. Now, working to restore those virtues seems to be the objective of most corporate social responsibility projects of some oil corporations in the region.

One of such programmes is the Book Reading and Open Event scheme by TotalEnergies which holds years at the headquarters in Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt.

Casesolles chose the opportunity of the event to reveal the inner plans and objectives of the event. It was the the 2025 Book Reading and Open Day Event for Senior Secondary Schools Students.

The DMD stated that for over 60 years, TotalEnergies has been passionate about lighting up minds and empowering future generations through education.

‎The company said the scholarships provided by TotalEnergies has assisted thousands of students to access quality education. And more than 700 petroleum engineers have graduated from the Institute of Petroleum Studies (IPS) in the University of Port Harcourt.

‎The DMD also stated that lives of most executives today and in the future depend on the books they read and the knowledge they possess. He traced his own life and success stories to an early exposure to reading.

‎The DMD also identified other education support initiatives of TotalEnergies in Nigeria to include the provision of solar lamps to students to aid their studies, provision of classroom blocks, State-of-the-art laboratories and equipment in schools, and training of some university lecturers at the Massachusette Institute of Technology in USA, a move to strengthen teaching methodology in Nigeria.

‎By supporting education, TotalEnergies says that they have nurtured and are still nurturing future leaders, innovators, and change makers.

‎TotalEnergies emphasized that the ‘Book Reading and Open Day Event’ has enhanced character, discipline, and personal growth since it’s inception.

‎The TotalEnergies boss used the occasion to admonish all in attendance to pay close attention to the content of the ‘Book of the Year’, the ‘Potter’s Wheel’ by Chukwuemeka Ike, to identify who is the Potter, the Wheel, and the Clay, so as to benefit from the connection piece of literature and man in his society.

‎He urged young ones to engage with the books they read as it is a gateway to endless possibilities, the passport to success and personal and professional development in this era of endless distraction.

‎The DMD urged students to be inspired by ‘The Potter’s Wheel.’

‎He further assured that TotalEnergies is delighted to invest in education by supporting students and youths to unlock the next chapter of greatness.

Adesua Adebola, General Manager Country Services of TotalEnergies, said the purpose of the book reading contest was to empower students. She charged them to take reading seriously as she said it is the key that unlocks a successful and brighter future.

‎She charged the students to read day and night to become better prepared for what lies ahead and stand a chance to rank among the best in any field of human endeavor on the global stage.

‎Also, Azibaolalare Uzoma Wogu, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Education, represented by Charles Gbaranwi, a deputy director in the Ministry, commended TotalEnergies for their contributions to the growth, development, and success of education in Rivers State, expressing the Ministry’s continuous readiness of the partner (TotalEnergies) in their efforts to support educational development in the State.

‎Woga assured TotalEnergies that students and schools in Rivers State were not threatened as the state current produced the most brilliant school in the country according to the rankings of the National Institute of Legislative Studies (NILS) having emerged national champion of it’s quiz for secondary schools in the country.

‎She described the ‘Book Reading and Open Day Event’ as a testament to the power of books which serves to inspire, educate, and transform; and also reminded the students that their journey in life begins with reading of books.

‎The Permanent Secretary urged the students to marry their books, saying reading enriches lives, improves the mindset, and broadens horizons.

‎She advised students to read good books, keep wholesome associates, and seek the guidance of their teachers while in school as their teachers serve as parent during school hours.

‎She emphasized that stakeholders in education are crucial, and called on other companies and multinationals in the State to follow the footsteps of TotalEnergies.

‎Wogu emphasized the need for all those aspiring for a teaching position in the State to acquire the requisite training and ensure to register with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) to ensure competence and rid the system of quackery.

‎Speaking on the emergence of a public school as the winner of the event, the Permanent Secretary stated that it was an indication that public schools in the state have come to stay and still possess some of the best attributes in terms of manpower.

‎Speaking on the need for guidance in the choice of a career path, Adolphus Akwumakwuhie, a legal practitioner and ‘Role Model of the Day’, urged students to take advantage of the morning period which is the preparatory stage in life. He warned against bad association, drug abuse, and other social vices incidental to youths, saying they lead to a destructive future.

‎He admonished students to take their decisions regarding career choices seriously because they now stand at threshold of the future.

‎The Role Model charged the students on the judicious use of time, stressing that their is time for everything. He noted that the time the students are in now is the most important in their lives.

‎Akwumakwuhie called on parents and guardians to resist the temptation of imposing a career on their children, saying it may lead to an unhappy future.

‎The ‘Book Reading’ exercise brought together over 10 senior secondary schools in Port Harcourt, including Enitona High School, Immaculate High School, Model Secondary School GRA Port Harcourt, Redeemers College, and GCSS Borikiri, saw Community Secondary School (CSS) Okuru-Ama emerge as winner.

‎Speaking on behalf of the students of CSS Okuru-Ama, Hellen Amakiri expressed gratitude to the organizers (TotalEnergies) for the initiative which she said has equipped her and other students in attendance with vital knowledge needed to make the right choices for a successful future.

‎She also commended TotalEnergies for a prominent role in the oil, gas, and renewable energy industry and their commitment to sustainable energy in Nigeria and the world.

‎Amakiri further expressed gratitude to TotalEnergies for the opportunity given to her and her colleagues to participate in the ‘Book Reading and Open Day Event’, saying it paved the way for the emergence of her school as the winner of the 2025 edition.