News

Seplat Trains, Empowers Edo, Delta Teachers With Tablets To Boost Education

Published

1 year ago

August 23, 2024

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

No fewer than 359 teachers and 22 Chief Inspectors of Education (CIEs) drawn from Edo and Delta states benefited from the 5th edition of the Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP).

The STEP, an initiative of the NEPL/Seplat Energy Joint Venture (JV), is aimed at equipping teachers and Chief Inspector of Education in Edo and Delta states with essential skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM).

In her address at the launching of the 5th edition, the Director, External Affairs & Social Performance, Seplat Energy, Chioma Afe, said since its inception, STEP has empowered 1,373 individuals, including 1,264 secondary school teachers and 109 Chief Inspectors of Education (CIEs) across Edo, Delta states and host communities.

She noted that the initiative had not only enhanced the quality of education in the states but has also ignited creativity and innovation within classrooms.

Afe added that the continued investment by the NEPL/Seplat JV underscored its unwavering commitment to elevating education in its host states and communities.

“Five years ago, we conducted a thorough assessment of our host communities in Edo and Delta states to identify their most pressing needs.

“Education emerged as the top priority, not only for the children but also for the teachers who are instrumental in shaping the future of the students.

“Through STEP, we are creating a comprehensive educational ecosystem—impacting teachers, students, school infrastructure, and even the Ministries of Education.

“This approach ensures that our investment in education will yield long-lasting benefits for the entire community,” she added.

Afe, who emphasized the comprehensive nature of the programme, noted: “Participating teachers undergo a rigorous four-day workshop covering leadership, digital skills, STEAM, and essential life skills.

“We have provided each teacher with a tablet equipped with the STEP app, granting them access to a wealth of teacher-focused resources from Microsoft, as well as ongoing support from facilitators.

Speaking at the event, Edo State Commissioner for Education, Joan Oviawe, while appreciating Seplat JV for the partnership, said: “Initiatives like STEP are a testament to NEPL/Seplat Energy JV’s deep commitment to the communities in which they operate.”

The Commissioner who was represented by Mr Ojo Akin-Longe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, added: “NEPL/Seplat Energy JV is playing a crucial role in developing the potential of our children and, by extension, the future of Edo State. We are grateful for their continued support and pledge our full cooperation to ensure the success of this programme.”

The Commissioner, Ministry of Secondary Education, Delta State, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, represented by Deputy Director (Schools), Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education, Mrs Justina Ishaka, echoed these sentiments, praising STEP as a catalyst for educational reform.

“STEP is more than just a training initiative; it represents a comprehensive approach to improving the quality of education in Delta State. Over 500 teachers in our state have already benefited from this programme, and its positive impact will continue to ripple through our communities for years to come.”

Charity Okpue from Ethiope Mixed Secondary School, Sapele, Delta said, “Since joining the STEP programme, I have gained invaluable insights into emotional intelligence and effective classroom management. This training has exceeded my expectations and has provided me with the skills to better handle challenging situations and foster a positive learning environment for my students.”

News

Tinubu Approves Portfolios For 5 NCDC Executive Directors

Published

51 minutes ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has approved portfolios for five executive directors on the board of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC).

Mr Segun Imohiosen, Director, Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), made the announcement in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

The appointees and their portfolios are: Hajiya Biliquis Jumoke- Administration and Human Resources, Mrs Aisha Rufai Ibrahim-Commercial and Industrial Development.

Others are, Mr James Abel Uloko-Corporate Services, Prof. Muhammad Bashar-Finance and Atika Ajanah-Projects.

The president urged the executive directors to work closely with the governing board of the commission to promote and coordinate sustainable development of the North-Central geopolitical zone.”

News

Court Orders Arrest Of 2 Lawyers Over Alleged Forgery, Impersonation

Published

1 hour ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting at Apo, on Monday, issued a bench warrant against two lawyers charged with forgery and impersonation.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie made the arrest order following repeated failure of the defendants- Victor Giwa, and Ibitade Bukola- to appear before the court to enter their plea to the charge that was preferred against them by the Inspector General of Police.

In the charge marked: CR/150/25, the duo were accused of conspiring to forge a legal document purportedly issued by the chambers of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Prof. Awa U. Kalu, with the intent to mislead the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF.

According to the three-count charge, the alleged offence occurred on June 28, 2024.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants forged and signed a letter on the official letterhead of the SAN, requesting the AGF to suspend a scheduled arraignment.

The contentious letter, titled “Urgent and Solemn Appeal to Suspend the Arraignment of Our Colleague Victor Giwa on Charge Number: CR/222/2023”, was allegedly addressed to the AGF.

It allegedly sought intervention of the AGF to halt an arraignment that was scheduled before trial Justice Samira Bature of the high court.

The IGP, in the charge, maintained that the two lawyers committed offences punishable under Section 97, 179 and 364 of the Penal Code Act, 2004.

At the resumed proceeding of the court on Monday, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Eristo Asaph, noted that the defence lawyer told the court that the 1st defendant was bereaved, hence his absence for the scheduled arraignment.

The prosecution counsel further noted that it was on the strength of an application by the defendant that the case was adjourned.

He, therefore, wondered why the duo were also absent in court for the case to proceed.

Responding, the defence counsel, Mr. Ogbu Aboje, told the court that the 1st defendant, Giwa, wrote a letter that was accompanied with a medical report dated September 3, indicating that he had a health challenge he described as “Degenerative disorder of the lumber vertebrae,” in addition to his hypertensive condition.

He added that the 2nd defendant equally went to the hospital on Monday morning to keep to a routine appointment for the immunisation of her daughter.

More so, he drew attention of the court to an application the defendants earlier filed to challenge its jurisdiction to entertain the case.

Dissatisfied with the developments, the prosecution counsel urged the court to issue a warrant for the defendants to be arrested y security agencies and produced for their trial.

In his ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie held that having listened to both parties, he was minded to accede to the prosecution’s request.

He court stressed that the medical report did indicate that the 1st defendant would not be able to attend court, adding that the 2nd defendant did not adduce any material to justify her absence.

Consequently, relying on the provision of section 266 (2) and 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), Justice Onwuegbuzie issued a bench warrant for the defendants to be arrested and produced before the court on October 8.
(VANGUARD)

News

Community Attributes Access Road To Reduction In Maternal Mortality In Bauchi

Published

5 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

A cross-section of residents in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State has attributed the reduction in maternal mortality to the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of the Kirjaule–Lame roads.

Mr. Samila Jauro, who spoke on behalf of the community, made the disclosure during a media tour of ongoing Bauchi State projects in the area.

He explained that in the past, no fewer than 50 pregnant women and their babies had lost their lives due to delays in accessing healthcare caused by the poor condition of roads.

“We have lost many of our pregnant women and their unborn babies in the past because of bad roads.

“But the present administration has changed our lives through its infrastructural development,” Jauro said.

While commending the state government, he appealed for the electrification of Kirjauke community.

“We are grateful for the road project, but we still call on the governor to provide us with electricity.

For the past 18 years, we have had no source of power,” he added.

The Bauchi State Government, through the Ministry of Works, in 2023 awarded a 40.5-kilometer road construction and rehabilitation projects in the aforementioned sites.

Speaking on the progress of the projects, the Site Engineer, Mr. Ado Shehu, said the project had reached 75 percent completion.

“The Kirjaule–Lame and Magama–Gumau roads were awarded at the end of November 2023.

“Some portions are already completed, while others are at the second layer and shoulder stage to ensure a successful outcome.

“The duration of the project according to the contract is 36 months.

” But with 75 percent already completed, the project will be finished ahead of schedule,” he said.