Mkpoikana Udoma
25 July 2018, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has affirmed its commitment to the development of education in the Niger Delta region, particularly in science education.
Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote made this known at the presentation of prizes to winners of the 4th edition of NTA Science Quiz Competition for Secondary Schools, sponsored by the board in Yenegoa, the Bayelsa State capital
Wabote said the sponsorship of the competition was imperative owing to NCDMB’s mandate to build local capacities in the oil and gas industry, as the completion would encourage the younger generation to develop interests in science and technology subjects early.
The NCDMB boss explained that the board had recently sponsored career counseling programme for secondary school students in oil-producing states, including Bayelsa State, to guide students to pursue the right careers in strategic sectors of the economy.
He charged the winning schools and students to translate their performances in the competition to the Senior School Certificate Examination, SSCE, and other external examinations.
According to him, “The Board began to sponsor this competition in 2012/2013 in our determination to improve the quality of teaching and learning of science education in Bayelsa State.
“We are proud that it has become a signature event. This competition offers us a wonderful opportunity to start early to develop the capacities of Nigerians who would work in the oil and gas industry in the years to come.
“As you know, the oil and gas industry is driven by principles derived from science and technology. Therefore it is critical for the Board to encourage our young ones to start early to develop interests in science subjects. This is in line with our mandate to build local capacities in the oil and gas industry.”
Wabote represented at the event by NCDMB Supervisor, Media and Publicity, Mr. Obinna Ezeobi, said the board was also contributing to the enhancement of information and communication technology literacy, in the Niger Delta region.
He explained that the board had in April donated 32 desktop computers, 752 computer textbooks, and 752 computer workbooks to the Bayelsa State Post-Primary Schools Board, to be used by secondary schools in the state.
“The Board is making several other critical contributions to the development of education in Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta Region as a whole. A few weeks ago, we commissioned an ICT Centre at the Nembe National Grammar School in Nembe Local Government Area. We established another ICT Center at Community Secondary School, Otuoke.
“The centres will enhance ICT literacy among secondary school students in the states. We equipped the centres with computers, projectors, printer, photocopier and is powered by a generating set with a backup inverter to ensure stable and constant power supply. We also arranged for a computer instructor and internet facility. We need the state government to protect the ICT centres because we are already getting reports of the ICT centers being vandalized.”
At the end of the prize presentation, Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama, emerged the winner of the 4th NCDMB sponsored Science Quiz Competition for secondary schools in Bayelsa State, while Community Secondary School Akenfa, Yenegoa, and Kaiama Grammar School came out first and the second runner-up, respectively.
The students were presented with brand new laptops while the winning schools were presented with brand new 3in1 printers and laboratory equipment.
