29 September, 2011, Sweetcrude, PORT HARCOURT- Total E and P has enjoined students in post primary schools in its host communities and the country to develop good character, noting that it is a relevant quality in human and capital development.
Speaking at the opening of this year’s Open Day Forum in Port Harcourt with the them: Character and Learning “ Deputy Managing Director, Port Harcourt District of the multinational oil firm, Mr Denis Berthelot enjoined students participating at the programme to embrace honesty, integrity and hard work, stressing that these qualities would make them achievers at the end of the day.
Open Day Forum, is a part of the company’s corporate social responsibility programmes to post primary schools in its host communities. It is designed to adequately prepare the post primary school students for challenges along the lines of their education. The programme which started eight years ago draw participants from select schools in Akwa Ibom and Rivers state where the company does it operations. This year’s theme according to the Deputy Managing Director was apt since it dwelled on character and learning.
Continuing, the deputy MD, Mr Berthelot said the firm had awarded scholarship to students at the post primary, tertiary and graduate levels in its host communities and also built classroom and donated books for secondary school libraries in Rivers state. He said the firm also constructed a lecture theatre at the University of Uyo and also set up the Institute of Petroleum Studies (IPS) at the University of Port Harcourt.
Some of the resource persons at this year’s Open Day Forum spoke on various topics ranging from career counselling to HIV/AIDS awareness. Dr Umar Umar of the NAFDAC cautioned the students against abuse of drugs and intake of opium i.e. hard drugs. He also warned them against been deceived that there are opportunities for them abroad as children, stressing that such could be bait to lure them into sex trade and child labour abroad. He enjoined them to take their studies seriously.
