The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is embarking on educational revolution in Akwa Ibom. UKO ETIM writes on one of such.
Established in the year 2000 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, it was with the madate of developing the oil-rich states referred to Niger Delta. Therefore, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has evolved through the years with different leaderships each with its mission towards the actualisation of the overall mandate.Although some have tried and many have failed in delivering on the mandate, Investigation shows that the commission still remains the only hope of Niger Delta people.
Distribution of educational materialsIn an effort to change the dynamic of education and boosts students morale, the NDDC recently flagged-off the distribution of science equipment to 46 selected secondary schools in the region.Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Warri, Delta state, NDDC interim administrator, Mr Efiong Akwa, stated that science education is at the core of the commission’s mandate.Consequently, he said, “We are donating essential science equipment to 46 schools across the region. The goal of the commission is to facilitate the effective teaching and learning of science subjects in order to stimulate and foster the interest of young minds in the study of the sciences.”The NDDC boss observed that science students represent key players in growth strategies. “The relevance of science education to our lives and its capacity to apply vital life-skills to everyday activities cannot be over emphasized. That is why we must equip our laboratories with modern science equipment. That is why we must promote the teaching and learning of science subjects in schools.” Akwa noted that the donation of science equipment was coming less than a month after NDDC flagged off the distribution of vaccines, cold chains and related medical equipment to states in the region. “Although these two programmes are separated by time and place, they are intertwined; in a way, they both highlight the importance the commission attaches to the well-being of the Niger Delta and its people. “While the vaccines and medical equipment touch the heart of our health enterprise, science and its essential equipment lie at the foundation of our economic health.
Indeed, while no community, country or society can realise its potential and promise unless the best of its public health system is promoted, no society has ever developed, in a sustainable manner, without the development of its science and technology.” Akwa stated that the main economic activities central to the development of the Niger Delta such as oil, gas and agriculture were energised and propelled by science and technology, noting that they were the keys that turn the ignition of sustainable development, which move societies forward. The NDDC boss highlighted some of the interventions of the commission in the education sector to include the renovation and rehabilitation of schools in all the states; provision and supply of desks and benches, creating a more conducive environment and classrooms for teaching and learning; donation of desktop and laptop computers to schools in order to address computer illiteracy in schools.Others he noted are the provision and distribution of NDDC-customised teaching and learning materials to schools as well as equipping pupils with learning aids; capacity building workshops for teachers to update their knowledge base with modern teaching techniques for improved learning and campaigns against substance abuse, cultism and examination malpractices. Akwa also talked about the contributions of the NDDC in promoting quiz competitions in secondary schools for a more engaging reading culture in students as well as using a reward system to encourage hard work in young minds. He equally underlined the benefits of the Post-Graduate Foreign Scholarships which he noted had helped young graduates to acquire specialisation in their fields of study as well as improving their marketability in the competitive global economy.“As part of the commission’s human development initiative and in consideration of the challenges occasioned by the COVID- 19 pandemic, management has reviewed the NDDC Post-Graduate Scholarship scheme to include approved universities in Nigeria. We therefore encourage our young graduates to take advantage of this opportunity when advertised.
A word of appreciation
The Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Patrick Ukah, commended NDDC for taking concrete steps to ensure that secondary school students were given good science education. Ukah, who was represented by the permanent secretary, Mr Augustine Oghoro, expressed the government’s appreciation of the science equipment and promised to put the items to good use. He appealed to the NDDC to extend the donation to other schools in the state while calling on other organisations to emulate what the NDDC had done.Cutting the tape for the flag-off, the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs who represented the minster, Sir Etekamba Umoren, emphasised the role of science education in nation building, urging the beneficiaries of the science equipment to put them to good use.
