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

PR62835

LAGOS, Nigeria, December 10, 2015 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- 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=2

8019753 ].

     MEDIA ENQUIRIES

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     Precious Okolobo, Media Relations Manager

     Email: Precious.Okolobo@shell.com

     Phone: (+23)48070365019     

     Edelman London Media Relations

     Meghan Roman

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     +44-(0)203-047-4045

Source: Royal Dutch Shell plc