Corporate Social Responsibility: BEDC Donates 20,000 Exercise Books To School Children In Edo

 

BEDC donates 20,000 exercise books to sustain safety campaign in Edo schools BEDC   Electricity   Plc.   (BEDC)   has   further   demonstrated   its commitment   to   reducing   electrical   accidents   among   schoolchildren   and   tampering   with   electricity   equipment   as   it continued with its Safety Sensitization campaigns in primary and secondary schools with a donation of over 20,000 exercise books with   safety   tips   to   some   schools   in   Edo   state.  The   safety sensitization is part of the BEDC Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.

Speaking   during   the   sensitization   campaign   held   at   Eyean Secondary School in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State,   recently,   Health,   Environment   and   Safety   Manager   of BEDC, Mr. Gilbert Nweke educated the students on the dangers resulting   from   unsafe   acts   such   as   tampering   with   electrical installations,   living   and   trading   under   high   tension   overheadlines,   overcrowded   electrical   sockets,   stepping/   touching   lines(electrical wires) and playing near distribution sub- stations etc.

The Principal, Eyean Secondary school, Mr. P.K Idemudia, who was elated at the exercise expressed appreciation to BEDC for the visit, saying: ” This is a good innovation by BEDC, it is the6rst time we are witnessing this campaign from any electricity service providers in the country,”.

He advised other distribution companies (Discos) to take a cue from BEDC to reach out to children who formed major part of the vulnerable segment of their customer population that were more prone to electrical accident.”The team Lead of CSR Project, Mrs. Felicia Nlemoha 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, adding “the students will now become safety ambassadors in their various homes.”

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 and snapper frames inscribed with safety tips, safety message, amongst other items.“In addition to the safety campaign, BEDC will also commence the   formation   of   energy   clubs   called   ‘Joules’   in   secondary schools.   The   growth   of   Joules   club   will   metamorphose   into   adebate competition among member schools. The winners of the competition will in turn become brand ambassadors of BEDC.

“The   objectives   of   the   Joules   clubs   is   to   groom   secondary students   to   take   up   careers   in   the   electricity   industry   and   to boost   the   current   drive   by   BEDC   and   other   Discos   to   tackle manpower gap in the power sector,” she added. According to Mrs. Nlemoha, It will also encourage students to embrace   the   STEM   (Science,   Technology,   Engineering   and Mathematics)   initiative   in   their   career   path,   especially   the females and also bridge the knowledge gap in the power industry by educating students on the entire electricity value chain.

It will be recalled that BEDC had earlier visited some primary and   secondary   schools   in   Edo   state   which   included   those   in; Ogbe,   Oliha,   Iyase   Ugbekun,   Ologbosere,   Isohan,   Ogenerie primary schools and in addition to Imaguero Secondary School.

The   sensitization   programme   had   commenced   with   visits   to seven   primary   schools   in   Benin   City,   Edo   state   where   over10,000   safety   exercise   books   and   @iers   were   distributed   to primary   school  pupils  who  were   also  sensitized   on  dangers   of electricity, safety tips and dos and don’ts when using electricity. BEDC   says   the   exercise is   on-going   as more   schools in BEDC franchise states will also be visited in due course.

About Author