FirstPower Takes Electricity Safety Campaign to UNIZIK High School Students in Awka

By Praise Chinecherem

FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited has taken its electricity safety awareness campaign to students of UNIZIK High School, Awka, as part of activities marking the grand finale of its 2026 Customer Service Week.

The outreach, held on Friday, October 9, focused on educating students about the dangers of unsafe electricity practices and the precautions necessary to prevent electrical accidents at home, in school and within their communities.

The FirstPower delegation comprised the Head of Customer Service, Mrs. Obianuju Okafor; the Head of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), Engr. Tosin Caleb Fadairo; and the HSE Officer for Ogidi/Aguleri Districts, Engr. Raphael Otakpor U.

Addressing the students during their morning assembly, Engr. Fadairo explained the importance of electricity in everyday life, while highlighting the dangers associated with its careless use and improper handling.

He outlined the various applications of electricity in homes, schools, businesses and industries, stressing that despite its numerous benefits, electricity can cause severe injuries, fires and fatalities when safety precautions are ignored.

The HSE Head identified common unsafe practices that could expose students and other household members to electric shocks, burns and other potentially fatal accidents.

He cautioned the students against playing with electrical installations, touching exposed wires, handling electrical appliances carelessly or attempting to repair electrical faults themselves.

“Whenever you notice exposed wires, damaged electrical installations or any other potential electrical hazard, do not attempt to handle it yourself. Report it immediately to your parents, teachers or another responsible adult,” he advised.

The session also featured an interactive question-and-answer segment, allowing students to engage with the FirstPower team and seek clarification on electricity safety. Writing materials were distributed to the students as part of the company’s engagement with the school community.

Also speaking, Mrs. Okafor urged the students to take the safety lessons seriously and apply them in their daily lives.

She encouraged them to share the knowledge they had acquired with their parents, guardians and other household members, noting that greater awareness of electrical hazards could help prevent accidents and save lives.

“Electricity safety is everyone’s responsibility. The knowledge you have gained today should not end here; share it with your families and friends so that more people can learn how to stay safe around electricity,” she said.

The delegation subsequently interacted with members of the school staff and presented special packages and gift items to the school management, led by the Principal, Mrs. Israel Olanike Atinuke.

In her response, Mrs. Atinuke appreciated FirstPower for bringing the awareness campaign to the school, describing the engagement as valuable to the students and the wider school community.

She expressed the hope that future engagements would provide more time for extended sessions to deepen students’ understanding of electricity safety and reinforce the lessons learned.

The outreach formed part of activities marking Day Five and the grand finale of FirstPower’s 2026 Customer Service Week, celebrated under the theme, “The Extra Mile.”

The company kicked off the week-long celebration on Monday at its headquarters in Awka, where the event was declared open by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Okechukwu Okafor.

The celebration was also observed across the company’s districts in different parts of the state, with activities designed to strengthen customer engagement, promote safety awareness and appreciate customers and other stakeholders.

Highlights of the week included surprise visits and gift presentations to MD customers, safety drills, a cultural day, electricity safety awareness campaigns in schools, and the distribution of writing materials to students.

The programme also featured a special cinematic outing for staff, as the company reaffirmed its commitment to going the extra mile in customer service delivery, in line with the theme of the 2026 celebration.

Through the school outreach, FirstPower extended its customer service campaign beyond conventional customer engagement, using the occasion to promote electricity safety awareness among young people and encourage safer practices in homes and schools.

#