Seplat Empowers 100 Teachers In Edo, Delta Host Communities

FOUNDEROF Centre for Value in Leadership ( CVL), Prof. Pat Utomi, yesterday said society must appreciate and show esteem for teachers, adding that the impacts teachers make in the lives of students and community remain immeasurable.

Utomi, who spoke in Benin City during the Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme ( STEP), where a total of 143 comprising 100 secondary school teachers and 43 Chief Inspectors of Education ( CIE) from Edo and Delta states were proud recipients of STEP Certificates, having concluded their three- month training programme.

While commenting on the state of education in the country, Utomi said teachers need to exhibit a strong passion for their profession with the undying commitment to sustaining the future generation. According to him, misery amongst the people could only be effectively addressed by quality education.

Other stakeholders, including a professor of Guidance and Counselling at Ambrose Alli University ( AAU) Ekpoma, Oyaziwo Aluede, said education is critical to combating poverty, and qualified teachers are the genuine agents needed to actualize this in Nigeria.

On his part, Chief Executive Officer, Seplat, Roger Brown represented by Director of External Affairs and Communications Seplat, Dr. Chioma Nwachuku presented the 100 secondary school teachers and 43 Chief Inspectors of Education ( CIE) from Edo and Delta after training were presented with Certificates at the Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme ( STEP) award programme.

He said that the STEP initiative is an educational programme created by the leading indigenous energy company, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc and its partners, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company ( NPDC), to improve the country’s standard of education, particularly for host States.

He affirmed that education is the bedrock for national development, adding, “Our STEP deployment aims to enhance teachers’ competencies and empower them with the knowledge and skills to implement STEAM education, amongst other benefits.”

He said Seplat is playing an invaluable role in enhancing the quality of education with the many educational programmes offered through the Company’s CSR initiatives.

“With the STEP programme, the Company now has a full boutique of programmes impacting the entire education value chain. “Teachers are the critical success factor for the implementation of STEAM model; thus Seplat has embarked on empowering teachers with the STEAM knowledge and skillsets to enable them to deliver.”

Speaking earlier, former Commissioner of Education in Edo State, Prof. Ngozi Osarenren commended the organisation for their interest in teachers in Edo and Delta states, noting that the empowerment will drive critical thinking and generate problem- solving skills.