SEPLAT JV empowers 300 teachers in Benin and Edo States

L-R: Grace Amadi, General Manager Sustainability, Seplat Energy; Clementina Ojuma, Director of Schools Department, Delta State Ministry of Education; Joan Osa Oviawe, Edo State Commissioner for Education; Joseph Ofili, Business Relations Manager, Seplat Energy; Esther Icha, CSR Manager, during the presentation of a tablet computer to a beneficiary at the 3^rd edition of the Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme in Edo State. 

By Akinola Ajibad

Spurred by the needs to promote the Nigerian educational sector, Seplat Energy Plc recently kicked off the third edition its Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP) in Benin City, Edo state capital.

Through this means, Seplat has empowered 300 teachers in Edo and Delta States respectively.

Tagged STEP initiative, the programme which was launched in order to promote creative thinking of teachers, pave way for engagement of students at higher level and to further offer a well-rounded education for recipients of the programme. 

Of note, the idea has empowered teachers by  providing them with resources, which would enable them to  deliver quality teaching in Seplat Energy’s host states, Edo and Delta State.

Prior to the commencement of this year this year edition, the programme was preceded by a four-day residential workshop which provided means of ensuring and maintaining leadership position in the education sector, improving and introducing them to Science and Technology, Engineering,  Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) training and their application to teaching.

Overall, a total of 905 teachers wrote the online qualifying test this year, out of which  300 teachers were qualified in both states for the 4 day-long residential training. 

The training, which  was a successful one, will continue online for three months.

In her opening remarks, Seplat Energy’s Director, External Affairs and Sustainability, Dr. Chioma Nwachuku, represented by Joseph Ofili, Business Relations Manager, stated that Seplat  in conjunction with its JV partners, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Science and Technology,  embark on this initiative with a view to empower teachers towards providing a better platform for students who are regarded as future  leaders in Nigeria.

“The initiative is designed to foster creative thinking; problem solving abilities; teacher – student engagement and produce well rounded educated students” she said,

Adding that: " This year’s edition would  feature empowerment programme of 300 teachers from 90 qualifying schools across Edo and Delta States, as well as Chief Inspectors of Education in the states and key personnel of the ministry of education to ensure an impactful delivery of the programme. 

She further said  that the participants are both from public and  private sectors, explaining that all participants had been issued electronic devices and internet data to continue the online training for the next 3 months. While the public sector takes 75 per cent, the private is 25 per cent.

Continuing further, Nwachuku noted that the success of the programme was largely attributed to the support received from the Ministries  of Education and  Science and Technology as well as Seplat Energy’s Joint Venue partner, which is known as the Nigerian Exploration and Production Ltd (NEPL). Hitherto, it was known as the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Ltd.

In his response, the Commissioner for Education in Edo state,  Mrs. Joan Osa Oviawe commended Seplat Energy for STEP Initiative, which she regarded as a transformative training programme.

 She also described the courses as quality and robust ones, urging teachers to share what they have gained from the programme with their colleagues who are not in attendance.

On impacts, Oviawe  said that the commission will engage the STEP beneficiaries as Master Trainers to facilitate the planned digital learning training programme for Edo State teachers, being set up by the Edo State government under its Education reform programme- “Edo Best 2.0”

Speaking in the same vein, the Delta State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, said that the trainers would immensely benefit the educational sector..

Represented by the Director of Schools, Ministry of Education,  Mrs. Clementina Ojuma, Ezewu praised Seplat Energy and NPDC “for the determination to fulfill its corporate social responsibilities programme in its Edo and Delta, its host states.

Recall that, Seplat Energy has empowered 363 persons (inclusive of 49 Chief Inspectors of Education) in the last two editions. The development, has excited the ministries of education in Delta and Edo States respectively.