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OVH Energy Marketing and Pacegate Limited Tackle Climate Change Through Girl child Education
12.11.21

Lagos, Nigeria. Pacegate Limited, a subsidiary of Hana Group and manufacturer of steel drums has partnered with Nigeria’s leading indigenous marketer of choice, OVH Energy Marketing (Oando Licensee) to empower female students in Rivers and Lagos state with the provision of essential school items. 

The partnership which is executed through the Project Evolve initiative seeks to address the global challenge of climate change through the education of underprivileged girls. According to Project Drawdown, the world’s leading research for Climate solutions, educating girls is the sixth most impactful solution out of 100 mentioned to combat the effects of global warming. Education shores up resilience and equips girls and women to face the impacts of climate change. There are economic, cultural, and safety-related barriers that impede the girl child from realizing her right to education. A key strategy to changing this is to make schools affordable. 

Through this partnership, over 400 schoolgirls in Omole Senior Grammar School, Lagos state, and Community Junior Secondary School Amadi-Ama Rivers state have received school supplies such as schoolbooks, pens, school bags, sandals, and uniforms supporting their education. 

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Umesh Amarnani, The Managing Director Pacegate Limited, expressed his appreciation to partners such as OVH Energy Marketing for supporting the vision to help young schoolgirls across the country. Mr. Amarnani said “Gender inequality means women and girls will experience climate change in unique and different ways. As climate change brings about forced migration, loss of housing and income, girls become even more vulnerable to gender-based violence. At Pacegate, we strongly believe that the education, empowerment and leadership of girls and young women is the key to climate resilience. Project Evolve is a CSR initiative with the vision to educate underprivileged girls, empowering them to make better life choices which will positively affect climate change. We acknowledge our partners on this project such as OVH Energy Marketing for their immense support. We also hope to increase the reach of our impact in the coming years to reach more school-girls.”

Speaking at the event, Mr. Huub Stokman, Chief Executive Officer, OVH Energy Marketing said that education gives girls the skills and knowledge to respond to climate-related challenges and the changing resource landscapes. Educated girls grow up to be women who participate fully in society and take on leadership roles.

“Educating young girls is a pathway to fighting climate change, and if we are to successfully address the climate crisis, we need to empower women so they can actively participate in strengthening Nigeria’s response to climate change. OVH Energy Marketing is proud to partner with Pacegate on the Evolve Initiative. To the young girls, I want you to know that the world is your oyster; you can make a difference and indeed change the world.” Huub said.

The Evolve initiative aims to support the education of 50,000 girls across 100 schools in Nigeria over the next 4 years. This will enable educated girls go ahead to contribute to their communities increasing Nigeria’s overall resilience to climate shocks.