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.

Nigeria’s leading indigenous marketer of choice, OVH Energy Marketing (Oando Licensee), has been awarded the Liquified Petroleum Gas Distribution Company of the Year during the Business Day Oil and Gas Awards which took place on September 16^th 2021 at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. The award recognizes OVH Energy Marketing as an industry leader with exceptional investment in solving the LPG distribution network challenges as well as its improved storage facilities capacity. 

In a category of worthy competitors, the award acknowledged the number of OVH Energy’s LPG skids in retail stations pan Nigeria as well as the near flawless execution of the LPG distribution to the consumers, showing a company that has delivered. Ogho Okiti, Managing Director, Business Day while presenting the award said “This award is in honour of your outstanding performance in the gas sector especially in this Decade of Gas. It is given in recognition of your superior dedication and positive zeal to ensuring delivery of LPG”

Commenting on the award, the Chief Executive Officer, OVH Energy Marketing, Huub Stokman, said “We are overwhelmed with gratitude to receive such a prestigious award.  This recognition as the LPG Distribution Company of the Year is evidence that OVH Energy Marketing is a driving force in the gas industry. It is indeed the Decade of Gas and this award is a clear validation of the growing relevance and importance of natural gas as a game-changer in Nigeria. At OVH Energy Marketing, we are glad to be part of the transformative effect of this increased use of Nigeria’s abundant gas reserves to develop its economy and positively impact the citizens.”

We would also like to acknowledge our staff for their invigorating drive and thank our partners for their unwavering support which has aided our journey to excellence.”

Huub Stokman went on further to reveal how the company has been focusing on reaching more customers and making gas distribution easier for customers. “Our 39 LPG skids nationwide have helped us to reach many of our customers. Our 8 LPG cylinder filling plants and our LPG cylinder consignment scheme have also helped us in reaching more customers. We give LPG cylinders to customers and get regular refills from them,” he said.

The Business Day Oil and Gas Awards was organized with the aim of rewarding technocrats and companies who have contributed exceedingly to the development of Nigeria’s Energy Industry. The Oil and Gas awards serve as an indication of the advocated optimism that the fortunes of the energy sector are assured for a turnaround going by the restart of marginal field bidding by the Department of Petroleum Resources after nearly 20 years, and the expected implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act.

Degree was conferred on him last weekend by the Swiss School of Business and Management in recognition of his accomplishment through exemplary management and leadership in the oil and gas industry.

Nigeria’s leading indigenous marketer of choice OVH Energy (Oando Licensee), has been named Bulk Distributing Company of the Year at the recently organized Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) Awards 2021.

This is coming on the heel of a streak of other industry leadership awards recently garnered by OVH Energy, including the Service Excellence Award at the 2021 International Lubricants Conference.

The Vice-Chancellor of FUPRE, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, while presenting the award at the event said, “This award is in recognition of the distinguished service you have rendered in your field of endeavors. We identify with your accomplishments at setting a new agenda for a prosperous Nigeria and Africa.”

Receiving the award, the Chief Executive Officer, OVH Energy, Huub Stokman, said OVH Energy would be further challenged by the recognition to be relentless in making significant contributions to the industry and the Nigerian economy.

Stokman said, “We are pleased that this award is a recognition of how OVH Energy has greatly enriched Nigeria’s downstream sector and established an unparalleled supply footprint. We are glad that our work is recognised by the industry.”

“Our journey to excellence as a leading downstream oil and gas company is hinged on the tremendous dedication and contributions of our staff and the strong support of our partners” he added.

2021 has been fulfilling for OVH Energy as the company continues to forge strategic partnerships and challenge the status quo in order to add value to all stakeholders through the trade, storage and distribution of gas.

Huub Stokman promised that OVH Energy would continue to protect and enrich the lives, assets, and environments of their areas of operation through initiatives such as the OVH Energy University Scholarship Scheme (USS), which grants scholarships to underprivileged students in host communities.

The FUPRE Awards are held annually by the Federal University of Petroleum Resources in collaboration with the African Child Foundation to recognize the landmark achievements and activities of key players in the oil and gas industry.