Niger Delta
206 Edo, Delta Teachers To Learn STEM By Application
Two hundred teachers and six Chief Inspectors of Education (CIE) in Edo and Delta states are undergoing comprehensive training to overhaul their pedagogical skills
The training, which began with a three-day workshop penultimate week in Benin City, will last three months and be followed by the establishment of Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) clubs in the schools of the teachers.
An initiative of SEPLAT Energy Plc, an indigenous energy company, in collaboration with Joint Venture partner, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), the Seplat JV Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP) was developed to address gaps that the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has identified in public and private school teachers teaching at the basic education level.
Speaking of the programme in Benin, the Director, External Affairs and Sustainability, SEPLAT, Dr Chioma Nwachukwu, said the teachers would learn how to apply 21st century skills, lesson notes preparations, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and how to use the Seplat STEM App.
Nwachukwu, who was represented by Seplat’s Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Mrs. Esther Icha, said the training was robust because education had gone beyond the teacher giving all the concept in class.
She said: “They are now going to apply learning and demonstration, and that is why the STEM training is very critical in nation building.
“Teachers will be trained on modern learning techniques, critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, and the lesson notes,” she said.
Nwachukwu added that the training was expected to end after three months with an award of certificates to successful teachers next February.
She said Seplat expects teachers who have gone through the training to set up a STEM club in their various schools – with the hope of inspiring puils to come up with innovative solutions to contemporary problems.
“The STEM clubs will usher in an exhibition where the use of STEM to proffer solution to world problems will be showcased”, she said.
Officials of the Edo State Ministry of Education, Edo State Ministry of Science and Technology and Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education present at the training said they were happy to collaborate with SEPLAT on the project.
Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Education, Stellamaris Imasuen, said the initiative aligned with the Edo government’s vision for education.
Imasuen, who was represented by the Executive Director, Science Vocational and Technical Education, Odegua Kushe, said the state was already seeing the impact of the training on the first batch of teachers trained last year under the project.
“The impact of the training, which Seplat started last year, is evident in the increase in the number of students participating in science and technology competitions at both local and international levels,” she said.
On her part, the Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Rose Ezewu, praised the company for partnering with government to equip teachers with modern techniques for improved teaching and learning.
Ezewu, represented by the Director of School Services, Ufuoma Oduma, said the training had addressed a gap created by non-adaptation of modern technology in the teaching process.
Also speaking, Managing Director, NPDC, Alli Zahra, represented by Bassey Etim Bassey, said the training was necessary because of the critical role that teachers play in nation-building.
Some of the participants said the training would give opportunity to change how they teach.
EJoma Emiliana, a CIE from Oshimili South LGA, Delta State said the programme had enhanced her knowledge as a supervisor.
“This programme has increased and enhanced my knowledge. Thanks to Seplat for coming to better my ideas in different ways,” she said.
Another participant, Godfrey Edobholo, a teacher from the Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Uromi, Edo State, said he appreciated the empowerment programme which he described as awesome.
He said: “We have seen how our minds have been refined because a mind refined is a life transformed. We have seen how important it is because as a teacher, you are a leader.
“We have seen the bridge and the link between a teacher and a leader because leadership itself is programming to securing the present which is the now and also capturing the future. So generally, the Seplat empowerment programme is for us to secure the future of our children which is our students and also capture the future because if you trained a child, you have educated a nation.”
The Tide learnt that selection of teachers for this year’s training was stiff – with 874 teachers in Edo and Delta states taking an online test from which the 206 participants were selected. The beneficiaries were drawn from 28 schools each from both states – with a ratio of five teachers for each public school, and two from each private school.
Recall that for the maiden edition of the STEP initiative STEP initiative last year, 389 teachers from Edo and Delta states took the online qualification test on September 16, 2020.
On November 23, 2020, 143 participants comprising 100 secondary school teachers and 43 CIEs began with an initial five-day physical training, followed by a virtual training using an online platform designed specifically for the programme.
Niger Delta
Edo Moves To Improve Efficiency In Governance
Edo State Government has embarked on a training programme for local government workers across the three senatorial districts on e-governance (e-gov) and information and communication technology (ict) in a bid to enhance efficiency and transparency in governance.
According to our correspondent the exercise, which kicked off with the training of officers in Edo South Senatorial Fistrict, took place at the Icta hall in the John Odigie Oyegun public service academy (joopsa) was aimed at equipping local government workers with the necessary knowledge and skills to leverage technology in their day-to-day operations.
The e-training encompasses a wide range of modules, including computer appreciation, information communication technology collaborative tools, microsoft office tools, introduction to e-governance, e-governance platforms, among others.
Delivering his welcome address, Edo state’s head of service and Chairman of e-governance, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa stressed on the foresight of Governor Godwin Obaseki to change the face of governance in Edo State, harping on the importance of the local government tier in adopting digital governance which is designed to strengthen the civil and public service effectiveness and increase transparency.
Edo State is the most digitalized in the country, thanks to his excellency, the governor. today we can boldly say that edo is the only state in this country that has transited completely from paper to a paperless government. that is because one man, took it upon himself, which is the governor of this state and has ensured we move at the pace we have moved from where we were to where we are now. as head of service, i do not need to be physically present to treat my files. i can treat my files anywhere in this world. this is what e-governance has done for us,” he said.
Okungbowa pointed that e-governance has ensured job effectiveness, transparency and timeliness, adding that digital governance is the new way to go especially as it offers numerous benefits to the civil and public service in their day-to-day operations.
on his part, the commissioner for local government, community & chieftaincy affairs, hon. monday osaigbovo stated, “the training is part of the state government’s commitment to driving innovation and improving service delivery at the grassroots level.”
He emphasized the need for local government workers to adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape and utilize technology to better serve the citizens of edo state, encouraging the chairmen of local government councils and heads of local government administration to emulate the passion of the governor in the adoption of the e-gov at the local governments, which he pointed is key to success.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Chief Tom Uloko described the exercise as pivotal to ensuring that local governments adopt and implement e-governance at their own level of administration, describing the training as a tip of the iceberg, as any knowledge acquired would be useful in the implementation of e-governance in their local government areas which had already been equipped with fibre optic cables to ensure a smooth transition to e-governance.
chief tom uloko further explained that the exercise would cover all senatorial districts in the state in the coming days of the training exercise.
In her vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Community & Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Felicia Edokpolor appreciated the state and local governments.
Niger Delta
Gov Otu Tasks Nigerians On Religious Tolerance
Cross River Governor, Senator Bassey Otu has called for a peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance, and prayers for a more united Nigeria as Muslim Ummah begins the annual Ramadan fasting.
The Governor made the call in a press release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nsa Gill, dated March 12, 2024 with reference number GO/PRESS/012/VOL.IV/44. a copy made available to The Tide source in Calabar
He congratulated the muslims on the commencement of Ramadan fasting and intimated them on joining and breaking the fasting with them.
Otu said only a peaceful country where everyone lives without fear and suspicion will engender desired growth and development.
The Governor urged the Muslim Ummah to use the period of Ramadan to pray fervently against insecurity and economic hardship facing the country, assuring that his government is doing everything possible to provide good governance with multiple opportunities to the citizenry.
He further stated that his “Peoples First Agenda” was beginning to change the face of Cross River State inline with his manifestos, asking that all hands must be on deck to collectively develop the State irrespective of religion, tribes and ethnic differences.
“On Behalf of the Government and People of Cross River State, I congratulate them on the commencement of Ramadan fast which is one of the five pillars of Islam. In my tradition, even before becoming your governor, I will be looking forward to breaking the fast with you and joining in this annual spiritual exercise.
“I want you to continue to be prayerful and law abiding citizens as we look forward to fulfilling sequentially all the promises made to the Muslim Community as an integral part of Cross River Citizens” he said.
The Governor continued: “Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, is one of the most sacred times where adherents observe a strict fast from dawn till sunset as an act of worship that brings about nearness to Allah, as well as a form of spiritual discipline. Ramadan Kareem!”
Niger Delta
Enerrhen Flyover: Delta Earmarks N2bn For Property Owners
The Delta State Government will spend the sum of N2 billion as compensation to property owners on the right of way around the Enerhen flyover.
The Tide’s source reports that the Commissioner for Works, , Mr Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this in Asaba as part of decisions reached at the State Executive Council meeting held on last Wednesday.
It would be recalled that the Delta State Government had awarded the sum of N77.9 billion to Julius Berger Nigeria PLC for four star projects in the State.
The awarded N77.9 billion is for the design and construction of flyover bridge from Enerhen Junction, Effurun to Marine Gate, Warri in Uvwie and Warri South Local Government Areas.
It also for the design and construction of road expansion and improvement works on the Section of DSC/NPA expressway from Effurun Roundabout to DSC Roundabout on the Effurun/Patani (East/West) highway.
The projects also include the construction of a three-quarter Cloverleaf Interchange at the existing Effurun Flyover Bridge as well as two pedestrian bridges in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, and the design and construction of flyover bridge at PTI Junction, on the Effurun/Patani (East/West) Highway, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area.
While approving the N2 billion compensation to be paid property owners on the right of way around the Enerhen flyover on Wednesday, the State Executive Council, meanwhile, approved a redesigned contract work at the Enerhen flyover to meet the required specification and to create a serene environment around the project.
Aniagwu noted that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori approved the settlement of affected individuals to promote peace and to make it easy for the contractors to deliver the work according to specification.
Following the State Executive Council meeting, Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza disclosed the approval of the payment of N20,000 bursary each to about 30,000 students of the State origin in tertiary institutions across the country for the 2022/2023 academic session.
Osuoza said the government, considering the current hardship in the country, approved the Students’ Special Assistance Scheme, also known as Bursary, to alleviate challenges students are faced with.
Osuosa also disclosed the government similarly approved the contract to equip 20 state hospitals to ensure adequate provision of healthcare services in the State.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojame, said that most of the equipment approved for the hospitals had been procured, supplied, and being used to improve healthcare services at the hospitals.
He noted that the governor also approved the immediate replacement of personnel on account of the brain drain occasioned by health workers’ flights abroad.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerovwo Tonukari, said the process of students’ enrolment into the bursary scheme for the 2023/2024 academic session had started.
According to him, the over 30,000 students, who were enlisted to benefit in the 2022/2023 academic session, will receive N20,000 each.
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