Over the years, Seplat Energy had made significant impacts
with critical initiatives focused on providing quality education for states of
its operations and the country. To consolidate its achievements on
Sustainability Development Goal 4 for inclusive and equitable quality
education, the Company introduced STEP, a customized training programme for
secondary school teachers. STEP is a three-month intensive training programme
that equips teachers with tools to teach STEAM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, Arts and Mathematics).
The Company introduced the STEAM model of learning to
secondary schools in Delta and Edo States in order to promote creative
thinking, allow for higher student engagement, and offer a well-rounded
education. Where STEAM are equal contributors to the process of learning.
In September 2021, the 220 certificate awardees from Delta
and Edo States began their training with an initial five-day residential
retreat. After that, they continued training via the E-Learning platform developed
for the programme.
To commemorate the certificate presentation ceremony held on
March 17, 2022, Seplat Energy hosted The Seplat JV Education Roundtable themed:
Harnessing the Role of Technology In Nigeria’s Education Sector.
The STEP Certificate Awards Ceremony took place in Benin
City, Edo State, alongside the Seplat Education Roundtable, which had
educational experts and professionals in a highly engaging panel session. The
keynote speaker for the day was Prof. Fabian Ajogwu SAN, an Independent
Non-Executive Director at Seplat Energy.
The Honorable Minister of State for Education, Hon.
Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, one of the special guest of honour, was ably represented
by Mrs. Muna Onuzo-Adetona, a Special Adviser to the minister.
The panelists comprised Mr. Yinka Akibu of the United
Nations Development Programme; Mr. Kehinde Osinaike of the Federal Ministry of
Education; Hon. Sijuade Idowu Tiamiyu of the State Universal Basic Education
Board Lagos State; and Ini Abimbola of the Association of Sustainability
Professionals of Nigeria. The session was moderated by Dr. (Hon) Mories Atoki.
Also present were His Excellency, Rt. Hon.Comrade Philip
Shaibu, Deputy Governor, Edo State; and Dr. Joan Oviawe. Hon. Commissioner for
Education, Edo State.
In his address, Prof. Ajogwu said: “Education is a
collective responsibility. What Seplat Energy is doing is noble and
commendable. It is supported by both Edo and Delta state governments. These
states should be model states that should be emulated. Other corporates should
also be invited to do the same. Spending on education gives us future returns
than subsiding consumption.
“Seplat Energy believes that empowering teachers is the
first point to awakening education and education has a cost. What we have done
is to take part of that cost. The Govt has a role to play as well as other
organisations and stakeholders. We should acknowledge this cost and invest in
it” Education has a cost, and Seplat energy has written the cheque”.
According to the Edo State Deputy Governor, “Education via
technology will promote children to be global competitors, and this can only
happen through adequate knowledge of technology. I congratulate Seplat Energy
on this initiative and Edo State will continue to partner with the company on
education.”
In her remarks, Dr. Chioma Nwachuku, said: “The STEP
programme is important because it plays a key role in the socio-economic growth
of the country. It supports the attainment of Quality education which is #SGD4.
The objective is to take STEAM education to the teachers. We encourage the
teachers to transmit their experience with this programme to other colleagues
in the sector and the students who are Nigeria’s future.”
“Seplat Energy takes the STEP initiative seriously. This
year we have trained over 200 teachers and state CIEs. The programme is
designed to ensure monitoring and evaluation of the teachers even after the
training and graduation. This ensures sustainability of the programme,” the
Seplat Energy Director of External Affairs and Sustainability added.
In her remarks, the Edo State Commissioner for Education,
Dr. Joan Oviawe said the State is thrilled to partner with Seplat Energy on
education, adding that: “We are excited by what Seplat Energy is doing for
teachers and thank the company for its CSR impact in the educational sector an
other sectors. Edo state is taking the lead in technology intervention in
education in Nigeria with initiatives like this and the The EdoBEST programme.”
The objectives of STEP are to: To train secondary school
teachers on skills, innovations, and technologies for deploying STEAM to
deliver tutelage better to the students; provide and connect teachers to a
collection of STEAM resources to enable them to understand, apply and innovate;
and provide schools with resources to enable them to provide the right
environment for STEAM implementation to enable students engage in the
interdisciplinary nature of STEAM.
STEP which is an annual programme, starts with a five-day
residential workshop which provided
leadership and self-improvement training, training on STEAM modules and its
application to teaching. The teachers were also provided with STEAM gadgets and
Apps to support their delivery of quality teaching in our host states. Of the
teachers empowered, 75% are from public schools while 25% are from private
schools.
The Ministry of Education Delta and Edo States and the
Ministry of Science and Technology Edo State are both very excited by the
programme because of the multiplier effect it will have in secondary education
and have indicated their unwavering support for the programme.