The NNPC and Seplat joint venture has trained 127 teachers and education evaluators in digital teaching methods and ways to earn extra income.
These teachers completed their training through the Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme, known as STEP. The first group from Imo graduated in Owerri.
Chioma Afe, Seplat’s director of External Affairs and Social Performance, shared this news during the graduation ceremony on Sunday.
Afe, who was represented by Esther Icha, the general manager for Corporate Social Investment, said STEP helps teachers grow in their profession.
She also mentioned that the program aims to make teachers financially independent while having a positive effect in their communities.
Afe stated that the education investment by the joint venture shows their belief that empowering teachers is a good way to change communities for the better.
She noted that STEP had already helped over 2,000 teachers in Edo and Delta states before coming to Imo.
Afe reminded the new graduates that this program was the first of its kind in Imo State.
She encouraged them to view their certificates as the start of new responsibilities and leadership roles in their communities.
She said: “Take the digital skills you have acquired into your classrooms, share your knowledge with fellow teachers, and encourage your students to learn, explore and innovate.”
Afe added that the success of the program would be seen in how many students are inspired, how many colleagues are supported, and how many communities are changed by the graduates.
Olanrewaju Igandan, the chief upstream investment officer at NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, also spoke at the event. He said teachers are “critical channels for knowledge transfer to younger generations.”
Igandan, who was represented by Chizoba Onyike, a subsurface operations adviser at NUIMS, thanked everyone who helped make the program a success.
He wished the graduating teachers all the best in their future work.
Earlier, Governor Hope Uzodimma, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Bertram Ikegwuoha, urged the teachers to make a positive impact on their students.
Uzodimma expressed gratitude to Seplat and NNPC for their support and asked the teachers to live by STEP’s motto: “Teach. Inspire. Transform.”
Choice Nwachukwu was the top performer, winning with a concept on antiseptic production. He scored 432 points and received N500,000.
Obinna Anele came in second with his idea for unripe plantain flour, scoring 425 points and earning a N300,000 grant.
Golden Ezekwe took third place with a business idea about braiding, scoring 421 points and receiving N200,000.
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