- Stakeholders reecho education as sine-qua-non in nation building
“Corporate Social Responsibility CSR award does not come on a platter, it comes with a responsibility many industry payers and stakeholders are oblivious of.”
The NNPC E&P Limited cum Seplat Energy Joint Venture (JV) has graduated 331 teachers and 27 Chief Inspectors of Education (CIE) at the just concluded 2024 edition of the Seplat JV Education Summit cum Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP) graduation ceremony for Edo and Delta States.
The events, held in Benin City, were hinged on the continued quest by the two formidable JV Partners to contribute towards the improvement of quality education in the communities and States where Seplat Energy, and by extension Nigeria, operates. Beneficiaries of this profitable venture were teachers from both public and private schools.
According to the company, STEP had been designed to promote teacher’s creative thinking, provide training on teaching applications for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). It is also intended to provide leadership and self-improvement training, create room for higher student’s engagement, as well as offer a well-rounded education for beneficiaries. For this edition, which was the fourth in the series, a total of 358 teachers graduated who also got their certificates accordingly. The programme which was specifically for secondary school teachers, both public and private, in Delta and Edo States, and again, with prior and specific consideration for and within the communities where Seplat has been doing its business. It was a six-month intensive training programme which started with a four-day residential workshop aimed at providing opportunity for acquisitions toward improving individuals’ leadership skills, 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 their schools.
In his remarks, Mr. Samson Ezugworie, Chief Operating Officer, Seplat Energy Plc, commended the governments of Edo and Delta States, and the NNPC for earnestly working with the management of Seplat Energy to activate the STEP initiative.
The commitment, he said, showed that the organizations recognized the problem facing the education sector and the need to confront it head-on. “The country’s education system today is not where it should be, and we understand its pivotal role in development. If the youths of this country are not developed, there’s a problem. This shared drive among Seplat, our senior partners, and the state governments in the areas we operate is what propels us forward,” Ezugworie explained.
Adding he said: “To the teachers in the room, you shape individuals, and you should take pride in your work. I’m sure your teachers would also be proud to see you, knowing you were once their student, bringing them a sense of satisfaction. Always remember that wisdom is the key.”
Mrs. Chioma Afe, Director, External Affairs and Social Performance, explained that the education value chain plays a crucial role in shaping the workforce and fostering economic development.
Addressing the challenges within the education value chain, especially in the areas where Seplat and NNPC operate, as well as across the nation, Afe said: “At the foundation of the education value chain lie primary and secondary education, crucial for laying the groundwork for future learning. However, access to quality early education, especially in rural areas, remains a challenge. This affects children’s ability to proceed to higher education or enter the workforce.
“Despite efforts to increase access to quality education, disparities in resources persist across different regions, particularly in secondary education. Higher education institutions play a critical role in shaping the workforce through specialized training and skills development, but they face challenges such as limited funding and outdated curricula.”
According to her, disequilibrium in the provision of education among socioeconomic groups hinder inclusive growth and poverty alleviation efforts, emphasizing the need for uniformity in resource allocation and quality improvement.
“Addressing challenges within the education value chain is crucial for workforce development and socioeconomic growth in Nigeria. Our collective efforts are vital in building a skilled and productive workforce that can drive the nation’s growth and development in the years to come,” Afe added.
Ayodele Olatunde, MD Seplat West Ltd, Seplat Energy, earlier in his welcome address, said the programme stands as a beacon of unwavering commitment of the company in championing and empowering the affected teachers in particular in their noble quest for excellence. Olatunde who was represented by the Base Manager, Western Asset, Mr. Emmanuel Otokhine, said the collective mission of the NEPL/Seplat JV was to equip teachers with the tools, knowledge, and resources critical in navigating out of the woods, for future growth holistically.
Dr. Joan Ovaiwe, the Edo Commissioner for Education also commended Seplat JV and NEPL for supporting teachers in Edo and Delta, noting that under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, Edo have been focused on education reform for the past seven years through the Edo Best framework.
The Keynote speaker, Akin-Olusoji Akinyele, the Group Managing Director NewGlobe said there was a compelling evidence that improved quality of education would produce a more educated and skilled labour force.
Speaking on the theme “Transforming the Education Workforce: A Critical Success Factor for Nation Building”, Akinyele said improved education system would accelerate the growth in GDP each year by 0.5% at the minimum.
According to him, transforming the education workforce requires a holistic and collaborative approach, adding that it is a complex and multifaceted process that involves various stakeholders, strategic planning, and sustained efforts.
“The Seplat example and the EdoBEST example are replicable and scalable models of private sector and public sector interventions. To achieve them at national scale requires comprehensive needs assessment to identify the strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in the current education workforce. This involves analyzing teacher skills, professional development opportunities, and the alignment of the workforce with the evolving needs of learners and society”, he said.
The MD, NEPL, Nicolas Foucart, represented by Mr. Uzoma Ezulu, DM Operations Mgt Seplat, NEPL, said: “On behalf of the management of NEPL, I appreciate Seplat Energy. They have been the operator of choice. We see their commitment to development at work, at play, and in society. I am proud to say that I am part of this team. If only other operators would do the same thing Seplat is doing, I am sure a lot of the education-related problems we are having currently in the country would not exist.”
Francis Edeki, the most outstanding of the students said: “I am so much grateful to Seplat for what they have done especially in this programme. I also believe that every teacher here are also delighted that they are part of this programme. It is indeed a rare opportunity; and now I can tell you I am empowered.”
Other benefiting teachers, Beauty Atsenuwa and Flora Ehimen, said the STEAM and leadership knowledge acquired from the programme would go a long way to impact the lives of their students whilst propelling them for excellence.
Atsenuwa said: “If we were to pay for this, 99.9% of teachers here will not be able to afford this. Seplat and its senior partners have given us an opportunity that is rare, and we can’t thank them enough.”
“We are just glad to share this milestone”, says Stanley Opara, Company’s Communication Manager
