Oil Firm, ExxonMobil Provide Recipe for Healthy Living to Students

International oil firm, ExxonMobil, has engaged the National Basketball Association (NBA) and an international Non-governmental Organisation (NGO), Africare to teach about 300 students from 10 secondary schools in Abuja about how best to live healthily.

The youth development program which focuses on developing life skills and raising public health awareness among high school youths, recently took place in Abuja, with students from Government Model Secondary School, Maitama; Rahinna Model College, Jikwoyi; Raberto Schools, Wuse II; Divine Mercy Secondary School, Asokoro; and Glisten International School, Jahi, in attendance.

Also, in attendance at the programme were students from Bicardos International School, Kubwa; Government Secondary School, Karu; Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 3; Government Secondary School, Garki; and Government Secondary School, Airport.

At the event, ExxonMobil disclosed it has continued to be a corporate leader in the fight to reduce the global burden of malaria.

It explained the programme - Power Forward - uses the game of basketball to teach and mentor 300 students from 10 secondary schools annually in Abuja.

Power Forward, it explained was in its fifth year, and teaches health literacy and life skills such as leadership; respect; and personal responsibility through basketball and other programming to positively impact Nigerian secondary school students.

According to the oil company, in 2017, the program reached over 12,000 youth in schools and vulnerable communities with life skills information; distributed 3,700 bed nets; established 20 hand wash stations to promote hygiene; and promoted exemplary leadership skills

It further stated that while 10 secondary schools participated at the 2018 edition of the programme, it has however reached about 30 schools in Abuja to date.

In a brief of the programme shared with THISDAY, ExxonMobil said it was inaugurated in Abuja on November 19, 2013, with a tip-off event featuring NBA and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) representatives, Nigerian policymakers and influential personalities.

It noted that the NBA players and legends who had participated in the program to date include former NBA players; Hakeem Olajuwon; Olumide Oyedeji; Kelenna Azubuike; Jerome Williams; and Obinna Ekezie who is also the current chief executive of Wakanow.

For the WNBA, it noted that All-Stars Swin Cash and Chiney Ogwumike and former WNBA player, Mactabene Amachree, have all graced the program.

ExxonMobil, equally noted that its supported programs have since 2000, distributed more than 14 million bed nets, nearly three million diagnostic tests and more than four million anti-malarial treatments, thus reaching more than 125 million people worldwide.

Nevertheless, he expressed optimism that the challenges were not insurmountable, adding that a holistic approach alone would set the pace for an enduring solution to resolve the challenges.

He categorised the challenges under three bands which he said were transaction framework; operational issues; as well as policy and regulatory concerns, Okoh explained that solutions proffered without a thorough diagnosis of the issues would fall through in the course of time.

He reaffirmed the Bureau’s dedication to the success of the sector towards ensuring improved electricity supply to the nation.

Similarly, the statement quoted the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Honourable Shadimu Mutiu, to have given an assurance of the committee’s support towards the success of the sector.

Mutiu, reportedly said that only a joint effort could bring about the much needed progress sought by all parties involved in the sector.