Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) has sustainability campaign project known as SEEPCO SMILE and the initiative is to integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) values into Nigeria society.
The initiative is SEEPCO’s journey towards building sustainable future through measurable social impact.
For SEEPCO every barrel brings a smile is a positive initiative towards inclusiveness and impact to the society.
Mr. Olagunju Emmanuel Oluwadare gave a vivid account of his sustainability story as a mentor and counselor to the youths.
According to Olagunju, “I influence the youths and I also discover that students nowadays especially in this generation lack self confidence. They don’t believe they can achieve anything in life.”
Olagunju decided that he would not allow any young one undermines his or her career or ability to get it right.
He started by influencing them in aspect of academics.
“I started with a class which I called encouragement, whereby I encourage youths, give them my personal experience. Some of them today I hear good things about their success stories.
Some of them prefer coming to me to ask questions even when they get to tertiary institutions, they are willing to hear from Mr. Dare. I used the opportunity to influence young ones.”
Olagunju took his social influence campaign to a larger gathering in order to guide them with self confidence. This will help them to take right step. “I believe that by the time I expand the conversation, it will create more investments for the youths to attain their objectives in life.”
The theme and inspiration behind SEEPCO SMILE is bringing smiles with each barrel. How do SEEPCO SMILE bringing smiles to young children affect the future of the society at large and Nigeria as a country?
How does the idea of bringing smiles to Nigeria and your contributions to these children’s lives affect them positively?
As I guide and mentor youths, they are being prevented from joining bad gangs with negative influence. This helps them to do better academically. For instance, one of them didn’t know that he can work and still go to school.
I called and advised him that since you have parents that are struggling due economic situation, you can do something to help yourself while in school. I gave example of myself that nobody sponsored me. I sponsored myself to higher institution and this has impacted me positively. I encouraged him to take same challenge.
The last time I saw him he has finished and about to go for youth service, he sought my counsel. I told him while doing his mandatory youth service and he could be working as well.
What can you tell us about SEEPCO SMILE?
The theme is ‘Bringing smiles with each barrel’. The smile is that their family or parents are happy. They are smiling because their children are contributing to the family and Nigeria as a whole. They are proud to support the family.
Tell us about bringing smiles and the impact being made in the lives of young people, communities and positive influence.
The overall impact when it comes to the society and family system.
In addition to what I’ve said earlier that the young ones have seen the impact of influence, counseling and mentorship while their families are happy about it.
For example, one youth that I spoke to and encouraged came to me after 20 years; I guided him further how he can make it in life.
He took up the challenge. I told him he can do something while pursuing his career in the university and after he has finished, during his youth service, he can still be working.
I encouraged him.
The younger ones have improved and also benefit from counseling mentorship. Some of them are proud of themselves and their families putting smile on them.
A parent spoke to me that whenever I am going to work or have any assignment, I should go with his son to mentor him.
Since then we have been going out together. I’m looking at other opportunity where I can make impact on the society positively at large.
What’s the goodwill message you have for SEEPCO SMILE?
I thank SEEPCO SMILE for putting smile on the family and community. I like the company’s support in bringing positive influence and supporting the younger ones at large.
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