NNPC/First E&P JV gifts NGOs with N53.4m
Adewale Akintaro
In furtherance of its Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, agenda, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC, and First Exploration & Production Limited, First E&P, Joint Venture has gifted the sum of N53.4million to five outstanding NGOs through its newly launched ‘Impact FIRST’ initiative.
The Impact FIRST programme is tailored to provide the needed support for NGOs that are addressing critical issues ranging from healthcare access, education access, poverty alleviation and empowerment initiatives for vulnerable people and disadvantaged groups across the country.
Under the JV’s Impact FIRST Initiative, the donation, targeted towards enhancing societal welfare, would address areas such as good healthcare and well-being, quality education as well as economic growth within the nation.
For this maiden edition of the initiative, the IREDE Foundation, which provides custom-made artificial limbs to child amputees aged 0-18, Human Development Initiative, HDI, which focuses on tackling fundamental issues of poverty, injustice, neglect, deprivation, and equality among vulnerable people, OISA Foundation, which transforms lives through interventions in the education and healthcare sectors, Cerebral Palsy Center which renders support to families with children with cerebral palsy as well and the Niola Cancer Care Foundation which organises awareness talks and screens communities for colon cancer emerged as beneficiaries of financial grants.
The selection of the beneficiary organisations followed a rigorous selection process which kicked off with nominations of deserving charities by the Joint Venture’s stakeholders.
Speaking during the cheque presentation ceremony, NNPC’s Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, NUIMS, Mr. Bala Wunti, expressed gratitude to First E&P for initiating the laudable programme.
Wunti who was represented by the Deputy Manager, External Relations, NUIMS, Mrs. Edith Lawson, highlighted NNPC’s belief in the power of CSR, stressing that the company remains committed to working with its partners to impact the lives of the less privileged.
“NNPC Limited is a firm believer in the power of corporate social responsibility. We are committed to working alongside our partners to make tangible differences in the lives of those who need it the most. Our support extends far beyond donations, it encompasses sustainable initiatives that foster long-term economic empowerment and social progress. Through our strategic partnership with FIRST E&P and other partners, we have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact that corporate social responsibilities have had,” Wunti said.
Wunti said under the initiative, projects and programmes executed include the provision of classrooms, ICT centres, laboratories and other infrastructural intervention projects, scholarships, quiz competitions, skill acquisitions and economic empowerment, a testimony to NNPC’s dedication to fostering sustainable development in Nigeria.
Wunti described First E & P’s foresight and leadership as commendable, adding that the partner has spearheaded the initiative towards meaningful change that will ensure a better future for all Nigerians.
Also speaking on the initiative, the Executive Director, of Corporate Services FIRST E&P, Mr. Emmanuel Etomi said: “As an organisation, we remain committed to contributing towards improving societal well-being and socio-economic development and we firmly believe in the power of collaboration and community engagement in driving positive change. While corporate organisations like ours strive to make meaningful contributions to societal well-being, we recognise the limitations of our resources, expertise, and reach.
“We believe that NGOs are instrumental in addressing the diverse and complex needs of our communities, particularly those who are most vulnerable. Through partnerships such as these, we seek to extend our collective impact and better address the multifacet
