Shell and Akon Unveil Africa's First Player and Solar Powered Football Pitch in Lagos

Shell and Akon Unveil Africa's First Player and Solar Powered Football Pitch in Lagos

LAGOS, Nigeria, December 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --



Pitch to inspire entrepreneurs and bright energy ideas that open up access to energy


in Africa and beyond



Akon and Hardwork debut new song on pitch that will feature in music video celebrating


potential of renewable energy 



Global music star Akon joined Shell to shine a light on the power of innovative
options for access to smarter energy by unveiling Africa's first human and solar powered
football pitch at the Federal College of Education, Akoka, Lagos. The new pitch is the
latest initiative from Shell's #makethefuture programme, which puts bright energy ideas
into action to bring benefits to local communities around the world.



(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151210/294903 )




The football pitch was refurbished by Shell using more than 90 underground tiles that
capture kinetic energy created by the movement of the players. The tiles are the invention
of a young British entrepreneur and founder of Pavegen, Laurence Kemball-Cook, who has
been supported through Shell LiveWIRE. The kinetic energy is then stored and combined with
power generated by solar panels to operate the new floodlights. This bright energy idea
allows the students to play at night and provides a safer and more secure space at the
heart of the community.



Music superstar and solar entrepreneur Akon joined Shell to officially open the pitch
and continue his commitment to teaching young Africans the importance of harnessing the
power of Africa's renewable energy. The singer is spearheading, through Akon Lighting
Africa, a large scale effort to develop solar-powered solutions that will provide African
communities with access to clean and affordable sources of electricity. As part of the
celebration at the Federal College of Education, Akon and DJ artist Philip "Hardwork"
Constable debuted their new song "Tell Me We're OK" in an exclusive performance on the
pitch before its release in 2016. The innovative football pitch will feature in the
upcoming music video.



Osagie Okunbor, Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria & Managing Director of The
Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) said, "Shell makes a significant
contribution to energy solutions for Nigeria, and we are committed to supporting the
Nigerian economy and its people. We need bright energy ideas. Some of these will come from
Shell but naturally, others will come from outside our business. So it's crucial that
Shell supports energy entrepreneurs, and we hope that this pitch will inspire more
entrepreneurs and young people to help us make a smarter energy future."



Akon commented, "New, reliable and smarter energy solutions play a major role in
driving human progress in Africa. Projects like this innovative football pitch draw
attention to the major opportunity that Nigeria as well as the whole of Africa have if we
look to better harness new technologies and the continent's abundant renewable energy
resources. That is why Hardwork and I will feature this pitch in our upcoming video for
"Tell Me We're OK" because I want young people, whether they are in Lagos, Los Angeles or
London to think about how they too can help us make the future."



Shell LiveWIRE is an international programme that has been a catalyst for young
entrepreneurs to develop enterprising ideas into viable and sustainable businesses for
more than 30 years. The LiveWIRE programme was launched in Nigeria in 2003, and since then
it has trained more than 6,000 youths in enterprise development and management, of whom
more than 3,000 have been provided with business start-up assistance.



Laurence Kemball-Cook, Pavegen founder and CEO and Shell LiveWIRE UK Young
Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist in 2011, said, "Our work with Shell has been pivotal to
Pavegen's growth. We got involved with Shell LiveWIRE and Shell Springboard, and both
programmes have really helped us transition from a start-up to a small company with a
25-strong staff and global IP. I'm grateful for all the support Shell has given us, and
hope we can continue to grow in the smart city future."



Siji O. Olusanya, Provost of the Federal College of Education, Akoka, added, "We have
more than 10,000 student teachers, who will benefit from this innovative solution to light
our football pitch. They will be the next generation of teachers across Nigeria and can
use their first-hand experience of this pitch to inspire their pupils that they too can
work towards developing bright energy ideas that could make a real difference to their
community, Nigeria or even the world. Not only our students but the community that
surrounds us will all get to benefit from this pitch for years to come."



To find out more about how Shell supports bright energy ideas, search #makethefuture
on Google.



Notes to Editor: 



About Royal Dutch Shell plc 



Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in
The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell
companies have operations in more than 70 countries and territories with businesses
including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied
natural gas and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and
chemicals and renewable energy projects. For further information, visit
http://www.shell.com
[http://www.enews.shell.com/rfpjazh8ep03bhginvv3hn?email=true&a=5&p=47779630&t=28019753 ].




 
MEDIA ENQUIRIES 
Shell Media Relations 
Precious Okolobo, Media Relations Manager 
Email: Precious.Okolobo@shell.com  
Phone: (+23)48070365019

 
Edelman London Media Relations 
Meghan Roman 
Meghan.Roman@edelman.com  
+44-(0)203-047-4045 


 





Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151210/294903


Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151210/294903
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151210/294903
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Royal Dutch Shell plc


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