In its commitment to reducing electrical accidents and tampering with electricity equipment among school pupils, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) PLC, recently embarked on safety sensitization campaigns in primary and secondary schools across Ondo State.
In a statement made available to Info Daily electronically, Head, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project, Mrs. Felicia Nlemoha, said the sensitization campaign on electrical safety and energy management was aimed at educating school pupils on the danger of unsafe acts such as tampering with electrical installations, living and trading under high tension over-head lines, overcrowded electrical sockets, stepping/touching lines(electrical wires), etc.
She said, “The campaign will promote safety in the use of electricity at home, schools, road, and workplace and reduce the rate of electricity accidents and hazards amongst students. The students will become safety ambassadors in their various homes.”
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She further stated that as part of give back to the society, selected schools will get educational materials from BEDC which includes branded exercise books, wall clock, and safety message snapper frames amongst other items.
Nlemoha noted that in addition to the safety campaign, BEDC would also commence creation of energy clubs called ‘Joules’ in secondary Schools, stressing that such will metamorphose into a debate competition among member schools.
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“The growth of joules club will metamorphose into a debate competition among member schools. The winners of the competition will in turn become brand ambassadors of BEDC.
“One of the objectives of the joules clubs is to groom secondary students to take up careers in the electricity industry boost to the current drive by BEDC and other distribution companies (Discos) to tackle manpower gap in the power sector.
“It will also encourage students to take the STEM initiative (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in their career path especially the females. And also bridge the knowledge gap in the power industry by educating the students on the entire electricity value chain”, she said.
In her response, the Head Girl, St Louis Catholic Secondary School, Miss Ademukolu Peace appreciated BEDC for the safety sensitization campaign and donation of educational materials to the school and promised on behalf of other students to abide by the safety tips and guidelines.
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She further indicated interest to study Engineering and expressed desire to work with BEDC after graduation.
The campaign which took place in some selected primary and secondary schools in Ondo and Owo will be replicated in all the Local Government Areas in the state.
Some of the pilot schools where the campaign took place were; St Patrick Mega Primary School, Ondo; St Andrew Anglican Primary School, Owo; St Louis Catholic Secondary, Ondo, and Imade College, Owo, all in Ondo state.
Recall BEDC embarked on such sensitisation campaign to secondary schools in Benin City, Edo State capital.