Seplat Energy PLC, leading Nigerian independent energy company listed on both the Nigerian Exchange and the London Stock Exchange, has clinched the Daily Independent Newspaper’s Indigenous Oil & Gas Company of the Year Award.

 The company was recognised for recording remarkable exploits in the Nigerian oil and gas sector while partnering local communities who are seen and treated as key stakeholders to its operations and overall corporate well-being through inclusive engagement models.

Speaking at the Independent Newspaper Award Ceremony held in Lagos at the weekend, the Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief of the Publication, Mr. Steve Omanufeme, said Seplat Energy was also recognised for its invaluable contributions to the Nigerian economy in many other ways since it was founded, including the supply of natural gas to the domestic market while helping to displace expensive and carbon-intensive oil based power, which dominates Nigeria’s electricity sector.

Omanufeme added, “In all of these, the Company creates direct and indirect employment, while enhancing expertise and technology across the nation’s energy value-chain.

“This award is to celebrate this Company that has stayed committed to its mission of leading Nigeria’s energy transition with accessible, affordable, and reliable energy that drives social and economic prosperity.”

The award ceremony was attended by leaders across industries in Nigeria, regulators, politicians, and other government leaders. Seplat Energy was represented at the event by General Manager, Finance, Adetaiwo Osindero; Associate General Counsel Corporate & Compliance, Adebowale Eboda; and Manager Corporate Communications, Stanley Opara.

In a related development, The Industry Newspaper at its 2024 Summit and Awards, also announced Seplat Energy as the Sustainable Energy Company of the Year whilst its Director, External Affairs & Social Performance, Chioma Afe, was honoured as the 2023 Industry Pathfinder in Sustainability (Corporate).

The Publication noted that Seplat Energy has demonstrated the capacity to be responsible and adhering to the ethics of the business during the period under review.

Responding to the awards by Daily Independent and The Industry Newspapers, Seplat Energy thanked the publications for the recognition and commended them for their display of professionalism, tact and commitment to developmental reportage over the years.

The company thus reemphasised its resolve to leading energy transition in Nigeria with strong focus on the environment, communities and governance frameworks.

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) B-Zone South West has joined forces with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to advocate for the routine immunisation of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, specifically targeting girls aged 9-14 years.

An advocacy program, organised by the Oyo State Ministry of Information and Orientation, was held at the Conference hall of Rolak Hotels and Suites in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

The event brought together stakeholders and health experts to raise awareness about the importance of HPV vaccination and its impact on preventing cervical cancer

The resolution stated the need for increased media awareness and having a successful HPV vaccine immunization program as a protection against cervical cancer for the target beneficiaries in the South West, and the country at large.

The programme put in place by the Oyo state ministry of information and orientation in conjunction with UNICEF had representation of NAWOJ members from news mediums of the six Southwest states which include, Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, and Oyo state.

In his welcome remarks, the programme Director, Oyo state Ministry of Information and Orientation, Rotimi Babalola emphasised that the program is a call to media professionals to improve their knowledge on Human Papilloma Virus and its Vaccine, and to start awareness campaign, with a view to disseminate the accurate information on the virus and the vaccine.

Asserting that Cervical Cancer is a worrisome disease, he pointed at skin to skin contact as a mode of infection, stressing on the importance of the young girls getting vaccinated before they become actively involved in sexual activities.

Mr Babalola who opined that prevention of Cervical Cancer is cheaper than the cure, maintained that HPV vaccine is safe for collection, and he highlighted the vision of the ending of the virus by year 2030.

In his discuss, the Health Educator of Oyo State Primary Health Care Development Board, Mr Samuel Olarinde stated that the second phase of the routine vaccination meant to save the Girl-Child and Women from cervical cancer will hold in twenty one states, and kick off by May ending, adding that about sixteen states have benefited from the vaccine.

Mr Olarinde who highlighted that building the partnership with NAWOJ was to promote HPV as part of the routine immunisation services as survival strategy for the target beneficiary, and he added that the vaccine is available and accessible in Primary Healthcare Centres in states.

Noting that nearly eight thousand women die yearly from cervical cancer disease, he appealed to women beneficiaries under age 35- 45 year to ensure that they always go for cervical screening, which its result will reveal the status of their cervix, and needed medical attention in case of discovery of any abnormal growth.

The UNICEF Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Mr Sola Olanipekun and Mrs Aderonke the Social and Behavioral Change specialist in their various interactions with the women journalists group urged the association to educate all about HPV vaccine, for the survival, productivity and development of the female gender.

The duo positively maintained that the vaccine is safe with no side effects, and assured all, that the collection of it will keep the girl child in age 9 and 14 years, free from cervical cancer, while they advised women in the target group of age 35 – 45 to always take a pap-smear screening test, to know their health status.

By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo

The Osun State government has warned the  applicants for the ongoing teacher’s recruitment exercise not to fall into the hands of fraudsters who are claiming to have slots for sale.

The State Government through a statement signed over the weekend by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Murtala Jimoh said anyone caught selling or buying slots will be handed over to the law enforcement agents for prosecution.

Jimoh said the committee put in place on the recruitment is working to ensure that only the best are recruited.

 According to him, “The Ministry of Education wishes to inform the general public particularly applicants in the ongoing teachers recruitment exercise not to fall into the hands of unscrupulous persons who are collecting huge sums of money from unsuspecting applicants to have a guaranteed slot(s) for sale so as to secure employment from Osun State Government in the exercise.

“The Ministry of Education dissociates itself from such criminal transactions and warns those who are engaging in the act to stop forthwith.

“Further, the Ministry of Education uses this medium to state that anyone caught selling or buying slots will be handed over to the law enforcement agents for prosecution.

“The general public and applicants should note that the committee in charge of the recruitment exercise is working assiduously and tirelessly to ensure that due process is followed and successful candidates for the next phase of the exercise will be contacted in due course,” he added.