TotalEnergies Commits To Grooming Young Leaders

An International Oil Company (IOC), TotalEnergies, has restated its commitment to grooming tomorrow’s leaders using its Book Reading programme as a way of helping children to deal with all distractions, including social media.
Deputy Managing Director, Joint Venture Assets (JVA), TotalEnergies, Guillaume Dulout, made this known at the company’s 2022 Book Reading and Open Day held in Port Harcourt for Senior Secondary Schools in Rivers State, weekend.
Represented by General Manager, Facilities Management and Administration, Mr Patrick Somiari, Dulout noted that it was exciting to the Book Reading event, being the first physical book reading event after the COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions.
He added that TotalEnergies would apply the Book Reading and Open Day programme, with the theme, “Today A Reader, Tomorrow A Leader”, to drive a sustained measure to nurture children into becoming successful leaders of tomorrow.
He explained that the annual Book Reading programme is TotalEnergies/NNPC Joint Venture’s goodwill to encourage students to embrace reading as a way of life, noting that “Open Day presents a window to share career paths and opportunities in order to guide the students to make informed and rewarding career decisions”.
Observing that reading did not come without some difficulties, Dulout encouraged the students to continue to push as it was the only way to prepare for leadership.
According to him, “being a leader does not usually come without effort. Thankfully, the few who put in the work prepare themselves to be leaders when the opportunity comes.
“Perhaps, nothing positions you better for leadership than reading. You must read; read regularly, read voraciously. It was in that light that the English philosopher and statesman, Sir Francis Bacon, observed that ‘Reading maketh a full man’.
“Reading involves a considerable level of concentration and thus, nurtures patience. What follows is better vocabulary and knowledge. Indeed, patience, knowledge and a rich reservoir of vocabulary help you establish the identity of a leader. Reading nurtures values that make you a leader”.
He stated that the book chosen for the event, “Diary of Fatherland”, by Charles Nelson, was chosen for its content as it would increase their appetite for books and place them on the path of leadership.
“You must start reading today. The book we have chosen to read at today’s event, ‘Diary of Fatherland’ by Charles Nelson, is designed to heighten your appetite for books and place you on the path of leadership.
“Of course, you will not find reading a piece of cake or undemanding, especially in the times we live in. If dealing with the appeal of the traditional media, especially TV and cinema, was difficult, the proliferation and allure of the social media would make reading more challenging.
“But don’t allow these media and their devices to be a drag on your dream of becoming a leader. I believe all the distractions that are incidental to young ones today have magnified the importance of the Book Reading & Open Day programme”, he said.
He charged them, saying, “Participate, be attentive, be involved, read. My sincere hope is that at the end of today’s programme, you would make the decision to be a reader, a leader”.
In his remarks, the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof Prince Chinedu Mmom, charged the students to sustain their reading habits as there was no short cut to academic progress.
Participants were drawn from 10 Rivers Senior Secondary Schools, including Bluebell Montessori International Secondary School; Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta; Army Day Secondary School, Bori Camp; Community Secondary School, Okporo; Community Secondary School, Rumuomasi; Community Secondary School Rukpokwu; Graceland International School; Community Comprehensive  Secondary School, Rumuokwurusi; Tantua International Group of Schools; and Government Technical College, Port Harcourt.

By: Tonye Nria-Dappa