Determined to strengthen capacity in teaching and learning of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Nigeria, Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited has donated a N50 million worth 3-D Science laboratory to Ijebu Muslim College, Ijebu-Ode, in Ogun State.
The donation was also part of activities to mark the 70th anniversary of the school as education in the state take a new shape.
Kayode Sote, National President, Ijebu Muslim College Old Students Association (IMCOSA). expressed excitement about the tremendous support the old students had made towards developing the school and improving the education system.
Sote while speaking at the commissioning of the laboratory by the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun. stressed on the need for teacher’s capacity building to improve the standard of teaching in the state, just as he admitted that knowledge will shape all sectors of the country geared towards development.
According to Sote, “The new global order is knowledge economy and any country that is not knowledge driven or unwilling to join the bandwagon risks being left behind with adverse consequences for her economy and people. Nigeria must add value to her natural resources through the application of knowledge because market for such free endowment may shrink, business may collapse but her citizens must not perish because of lack of knowledge and will-power of the government to promote knowledge revolution in all its ramifications.
On the school’s infrastructure, the President reiterated the association’s commitment and devotion to the development of the institution while calling on the government for relevant assistance and reintroduction of Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) levy.
In his remarks, the Executive Governor, Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, applauded IMCOSA on the school’s 70th anniversary and the Chief Executive Officer, Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, Abdulrasaq Isa, who is also a member of IMCOSA, for donating a science laboratory to the school.
“I must say that in developing the society, everyone has a role to play. The founders of this institution rather than lamenting, saw the need to work hand-in-hand for speedy development. Ijebu-Ode Muslim College has produced great people in the society who are worthy ambassadors and are doing well in different spheres of life.”
Sam Nwogu, General Manager Operations, Katchey Company and the Laboratory Consultant said the science laboratory donated by Waltersmith Pretroman Oil Limited, is one of the its kind in Nigeria that will boost the education system.
“Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is a new trend in science and it has not really been deployed in Nigeria. It’s a way of teaching science in junior secondary school. In the western world, STEM is a course on its own. As a new trend coming up in science, for us who are in this industry have asked Waltersmith to do something that is innovative and worth doing well.
“Basically, we are looking at how to teach students to analyse and interpret data faster instead of spending time acquiring numbers, conducting experiment that will take almost forever. But here it will allow the technology get the data for you while the students sit and interpret. With this, teaching of science becomes for much easier”, Nwogu said.
KELECHI EWUZIE
