Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), Operator of the OML 30 Joint Venture (JV) between NNPC E&P Limited (NEPL) and Shoreline Natural Resources Limited (SNRL), on Monday announced its collaboration with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to conduct a selection examination to pick beneficiaries for its 2022/2023 university scholarship programme.

The examination, which held on November 26, 2022, involved over 300 shortlisted candidates from the 112 host communities in the company’s OML 30 operational area in Delta State, Nigeria.

About 185 beneficiaries in higher institutions are targeted in the exercise. A similar exercise to select beneficiaries of the secondary school version of the scholarship programme was earlier conducted in August 2022.

According to HEOSL’s General Manager, Government, Joint Venture and External Relations, Adesola Adebawo: “The scholarship selection processes are highly competitive, fair and transparent, which is why an experienced independent examination management body such as WAEC is coordinating.

“The idea is to ensure only the best candidates are selected from the beneficiary communities.”

He added that an estimated total number of 800 scholars would benefit from this year’s scholarship programme in both the secondary and university categories.

According to the statement, the company has just concluded the payment of the annual scholarship funds to eligible OML 30 scholarship beneficiaries for 2021/2022 academic session.

A total of 2,121 eligible beneficiaries, which consist of both secondary and university students, received direct payments valued at over N125 million to support their educational pursuits.

The Chief Executive Officer of HEOSL, Ado Oseragbaje, stated that: “The scholarship programme is one of the cardinal streams in the OML 30 JV partnership’s support for education as part of the strategic enhancement of human capital development in the communities neighbouring the asset, as well as in Delta State in general.”

He commended the host communities for their positive response to the process and wished the participants success as they compete for these important opportunities.

He appealed to the communities to continue providing a peaceful and enabling environment for the company’s business to thrive, as this was the type of partnership that brings progress to all stakeholders.

From inception, OML 30 scholarship scheme has supported over 4,300 scholars from the 112 host communities, ensuring access to quality education in secondary schools and universities.

This initiative is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-4) on education.

The OML 30 scholarship scheme is one of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives facilitated by HEOSL, on behalf of the OML 30 Joint Venture partners.