By Emmanuella Anokam
The Premier Academy, Abuja has won the NNPC Foundation’s “Battle of the Energy Titans” competition aimed at inspiring students to develop practical solutions to energy challenges in their communities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Premier Academy received N500,000 cash prize, plaque and gifts at the “Battle of Energy Titans Award/Prize Giving Ceremony” held on Tuesday in Abuja.
The ceremony was organised by the NNPC Foundation Ltd., in collaboration with the Oloibiri Oil and Gas Entrepreneurs Development (OLOGED) initiative, a Nigerian non- profit that promotes energy and environmental education for schools and communities.
The event which has its theme as ‘Young Innovators Solving Energy Poverty’ also featured the official unveiling of “Energy on Wheels Project for Schools”, aimed at impacting energy education across school.
The Nigeria-Korea Model School, Piwoyi, Abuja, emerged as the first runner-up, carting away N300,0000, while Government Science Secondary School, Maitama, won the second runner-up prize of N200,000.
Speaking on the competition, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, the Managing Director, NNPC Foundation, disclosed that the competition attracted 45 schools, from which 12 finalists emerged, with three eventual winners.
Arukwe expressed satisfaction with the high level of creativity and innovation demonstrated by the participating schools, adding that the programme had inspired students to identify energy challenges within their communities and propose practical solutions.
“The participants presented projects ranging from solar-powered devices and clean cooking innovations to mini-grid concepts and waste-to-energy solutions.
“More than a competition, Battle of the Energy Titans is raising a new generation of energypreneurs, equipped with energy literacy, problem-solving skills and the confidence to lead Africa’s energy future.
“Only through collective effort can we secure an energy future that is clean, inclusive and sustainable,” she said.
Arukwe urged stakeholders, industry leaders, educators and parents to work together in preparing young people for future challenges.
In her remarks, Ms Onome Wilkinson, Executive Director, OLOGED Initiative, said the Battle of the Energy Titans was one of the flagship competitions under the Youth Energy STEAM Festival, designed to encourage students to develop innovative solutions to energy challenges.
Wilkinson explained that the festival adopted the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) approach to ensure that both science- and arts-oriented students contribute ideas to the energy sector.
“The participating students developed a range of solutions to tackle energy poverty, including solar-powered technologies, gas-powered systems, eco-friendly electricity-generating paint, and other renewable energy innovations.
“The beautiful part of this initiative is that they are no longer just looking at energy as consumers; they are beginning to see how they can become active partners in creating wealth and sustainable energy solutions.
“The initiative is helping students to understand the critical role of energy in powering homes, industries and economic activities, while encouraging them to develop practical solutions to energy access challenges,” she said.
Wilkinson, while commending the NNPC Foundation for its support, said it had provided financial, technical and strategic support to advance energy education and promote awareness of sustainable energy among young Nigerians.
She added that some participating students developed projects such as solar-powered devices, systems that generate electricity from salt and water, solar-powered school bags and integrated energy villages, powered by gas, hydrogen, biogas and wind energy.
Mr Sunday Dayo, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, also commended the Initiative for promoting youth-driven innovation and energy literacy through practical education and engagement programmes aimed at addressing energy poverty.
Dayo, represented by his Technical Assistant, Bolanle Wellington, said the initiative aligned with the Federal Government’s commitment to youth empowerment, innovation and sustainable development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Mr Chris Akinsowon, Principal, Premier Academy, while commending the foundation for its laudable programmes, also expressed delight in the students of premier academy for making them proud by emerging as the overall best in the competition. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Emmanuel Afonne
