By Fred Ojiegbe
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, in partnership with Shell Nigeria Exploration Company Limited (NNPC/SNEPCo), has been working with The Irede Foundation to support pupils living with disabilities. Over the course of five years, the partnership has provided prosthetic limbs for 25 child amputees, allowing them to return to school and lead productive lives. In addition, the partnership has upgraded The Irede Foundation Prosthetic Limb Centre, which has served over 150 child amputees. At a recent ceremony in Lagos, four prosthetic limbs were handed out as part of the ongoing outreach.
SNEPCo Managing Director, Elohor Aiboni, expressed joy at the progress made by the children who have received artificial limbs, and emphasized Shell’s commitment to an inclusive society. The Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Bala Wunti, added that the mission is not only to provide physical support, but also to empower these children to reach their full potential. He emphasized NNPC’s dedication to implementing sustainable projects that positively impact the lives of Nigerian citizens.
The Executive Director of The IREDE Foundation, Crystal Chigbu, called the partnership with NNPC/SNEPCo transformative and highlighted the positive impact that has been made over the five-year collaboration.
In addition to supporting individual children, the partnership has also promoted inclusion through a public outreach called “Out on A Limb Walk,” which has equipped secondary school students with the knowledge and skills to support fellow students with limb disabilities. The partnership has also educated nearly 5,000 pupils about disability through discussions and the distribution of a comic book created by The Irede Foundation.
Supporting pupils with disabilities is just one aspect of NNPC/SNEPCo’s social investment portfolio, which also includes providing educational and healthcare services and facilities across Nigeria. Last year, the company constructed and renovated two primary healthcare centres for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno and Yobe states, providing water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, as well as medical infrastructure and training for healthcare workers.
Overall, the partnership between NNPC/SNEPCo and The Irede Foundation has made a significant impact on the lives of children living with disabilities, while promoting inclusive and sustainable development in Nigeria. NNPC/SNEPCo, in collaboration with The Irede Foundation, has been supporting pupils living with disabilities in Nigeria for the past five years. Through their partnership, they have provided prosthetic limbs to 25 child amputees, enabling them to return to school and lead productive lives. The partnership has also upgraded The Irede Foundation Prosthetic Limb Centre to enhance the production, fitting, and rehabilitation process for child amputees.
At a recent ceremony in Lagos, four prosthetic limbs were handed out, showcasing the ongoing efforts of the partnership. SNEPCo Managing Director, Elohor Aiboni, expressed pride in the progress made by previous beneficiaries and emphasized Shell’s commitment to an inclusive society. Bala Wunti, Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), highlighted their mission to empower these children to reach their full potential.
The Executive Director of The Irede Foundation, Crystal Chigbu, expressed gratitude for the transformative collaboration between NNPC/SNEPCo and the foundation, which has made a profound impact on the lives of children. Beyond supporting individual children, the partnership has organized a public outreach event called “Out on A Limb Walk” to foster inclusivity and has educated thousands of pupils.