…Restates Commitment to Education, Community Development

Egbin Power Plc, Nigeria’s largest power generation company, has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to education and sustainable community development as it celebrated the 10th edition of the Egbin Power Scholarship Awards.

The milestone ceremony, held at the Egbin Power Clubhouse, brought together community leaders, parents, teachers, the management team of Egbin Power and beneficiaries to recognise and reward academic excellence across its host communities.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Egbin Power Plc, Mokhtar Bounour, noted that the scholarship scheme, which began a decade ago, has transformed the lives of children in host communities by easing the financial burden on parents while providing opportunities for students to pursue quality education.

“This 10th edition of the Egbin Power Scholarship reaffirms our decade-long commitment to education and community development. By investing in these young scholars, we are not only empowering their future but also strengthening the foundation for sustainable growth in our host communities and Nigeria at large,” he said.

According to Bounour, the Scholarship has grown beyond just being a CSR initiative, into a true symbol of Egbin Power’s deep bond with its host communities. Marking the 10th edition reinforces the shared belief that empowering children through education is the strongest investment in their future and in the collective progress of the community.

“For ten years, the Egbin Power Scholarship has stood as a pillar of our CSR commitment to education and empowerment. We are proud of the impact it has made, and this 10th edition renews our pledge to continue driving initiatives that uplift lives and create lasting value for society”, he noted.

The Egbin Power Scholarship Programme, introduced in 2015, has consistently rewarded pupils and students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance. Beyond financial support, the program includes mentorship and a scholarship bootcamp designed to equip beneficiaries with life skills, discipline, and confidence to excel in their educational journey.

A parent of one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Ebuzome Ekene, expressed gratitude to the GenCo for sustaining the initiative over the years. “This scholarship has lifted a huge burden off many families. Beyond the financial relief, it gives our children the confidence to aim higher, knowing that their community and Egbin stand solidly behind them,” she said.

Similarly, Kareem Opeyemi, a student beneficiary, expressed appreciation to Egbin Power Plc for providing the scholarship to students. According to him, the scholarship was a dream come true.

He said: “This award motivates me to study harder, focus on improving myself and sustaining the scholarship so as to become a future leader who will make my community proud.”

This year, the bootcamp concluded with the final selection of beneficiaries for the 10th edition, reflecting Egbin Power’s sustained efforts to inspire and nurture the next generation of leaders. The programme continues to enjoy strong participation and support from parents, teachers, and community leaders who serve as custodians of the children’s progress.

Egbin Power has remained at the forefront of corporate social responsibility initiatives in education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and community infrastructure. Through these initiatives, the company has demonstrated that its role goes beyond power generation to include empowering people and uplifting communities.

The scholarship award ceremony was not only a celebration of academic achievement but also a reaffirmation of Egbin Power’s enduring partnership with its host communities. The company pledged to continue investing in impactful programmes that align with its vision of building a brighter and more sustainable future.

…Over 500 students to benefit

In commemoration of this year’s World Literacy Day, Heirs Energies Ltd., an indigenous integrated energy company and the World Literacy Foundation (WLF), a global non-profit dedicated to eradicating illiteracy, have announced the launch of the Sun Books Literacy Initiative in Rivers State, Nigeria.
The initiative will directly benefit more than 500 pupils at Central State Primary School, Omuohia-Igwuruta, and Umuebulu Primary School, Umuebulu, both located within Heirs Energies’ OML 17 host communities. Pupils will receive solar-powered Sun Books tablets, preloaded with culturally relevant, curriculum-aligned literacy content and interactive learning modules. Solar panels will also be installed in the schools to ensure uninterrupted power for the devices and classrooms, creating sustainable access to education in resource-limited environments.
Globally, more than 770 million people still lack basic literacy skills, with millions of African children facing barriers to education daily. In Nigeria, UNESCO estimates that one in three children cannot read or write at the expected level by age 10, with rural areas and girls most severely affected.
The Sun Books programme is designed to address these structural gaps by providing offline-first digital learning tools that work in low-infrastructure settings. Teachers in participating schools will also receive hands-on training to integrate digital literacy into classroom instruction, ensuring continuity of learning and stronger long-term outcomes.
Originally piloted in Uganda, Sun Books has already reached over 17,000 children, trained more than 280 teachers, and supported over 48,000 families across Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa.
Osa Igiehon, CEO of Heirs Energies, reaffirmed the company’s long-term vision for community empowerment:
“As an integrated energy company, we know that renewable and sustainable energy must serve a greater purpose — building stronger, more resilient communities. Our investment in literacy is an investment in the next generation of leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers. This initiative reflects our Africapitalism philosophy – creating social good while delivering economic value. With Sun Books, we are empowering children to dream beyond their circumstances and equipping teachers with tools to make learning engaging and inclusive.”

similarly, Andrew Kay, CEO of the World Literacy Foundation, underscored the global significance of the collaboration. According to him, “this partnership with Heirs Energies demonstrates the power of cross-sector collaboration. By combining renewable energy and digital learning, we are providing children with the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed – regardless of geography or circumstance. Together, we are closing the literacy gap in underserved communities and preparing the next generation for the digital economy.”
Adding the community’s perspective, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Samuel Amaechi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, OML 17 Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) Board of Trustees, said: “This initiative shows what is possible when companies listen to their host communities and act in partnership. Education is the greatest legacy we can give our children. With the Sun Books programme, our schools now have the tools to prepare them for the future. We thank Heirs Energies and the World Literacy Foundation for investing in our children and in the long-term prosperity of our communities.”
The Sun Books Literacy Initiative serves as the launchpad for Heirs Energies’ Power Schools Initiative, which aims to deploy clean energy and digital infrastructure across schools in its host communities.
This milestone also aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy), reinforcing both organisations’ shared commitment to building inclusive, sustainable, and knowledge-driven societies.