Seplat and NEPL Open Two Science Labs in Delta Schools

The NNPC Exploration and Production Ltd (NEPL) and Seplat Energy Joint Venture (JV) have set up two Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) laboratories in public schools in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Chioma Afe, the Director of External Affairs and Social Performance at Seplat Energy Plc, shared this news during the handover of the facilities to the Delta Ministry of Education on Thursday in Asaba.

Esther Icha, who is the General Manager for Corporate Social Investment and Social Performance at Seplat Energy Plc, represented Mrs Afe at the event.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the laboratories are located at Zappa Basic Secondary School and Asagba Mixed Secondary School in Asaba.

Purpose of the Initiative

Mrs Afe explained that the goal of this initiative is to give students better access to practical learning. This will help them gain skills in science, technology, innovation, and problem-solving for their future careers.

She mentioned that the laboratories show a strong commitment to investing in students, schools, and communities. This project is the seventh STEAM lab that the company has established in Delta State.

"This moment represents more than just the commissioning of a room filled with equipment. It represents a strong investment in the future of our students, our schools and our state," she stated.

Mrs Afe added that STEAM education is essential for innovation, creativity, and sustainable development today. The labs will allow students to go beyond just learning theories and start experimenting, designing, and testing their ideas while gaining confidence to tackle real-life challenges.

She mentioned that each lab is a step toward providing practical learning experiences that will prepare young people for opportunities in the modern world.

Mrs Afe encouraged the schools to take good care of the facilities and to integrate them into their teaching and learning processes. She believes these labs will help develop innovators, engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs who will make Delta and Nigeria proud.

Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu, also spoke at the event. He told the students to view the laboratories as chances to experiment, innovate, and find solutions to real-life problems.

Mr Ashibogwu advised students not to feel discouraged by failure during their experiments. He emphasized that trying repeatedly is key to achieving success. "Most great inventors you see today have attempted many times, failed many times, but succeeded once," he said.

He urged students to actively use the labs, explaining that such experiences will prepare them to become leaders and innovators. "Through practical attempts, we will succeed and become leaders of not just tomorrow but leaders of today," Mr Ashibogwu added.

The commissioner promised that the state government would ensure the safety of the facilities so that students can keep using them. He revealed that security measures, including closed-circuit television, are in place to protect the equipment from theft and damage.

Mr Ashibogwu praised the NNPC-Seplat JV for their investment in education and for helping students keep up with technology and productivity.

Public School Perception

Bridget Anyafulu, who represents Oshimili South Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, called the opening of the two laboratories a significant investment for the local government area. Mrs Anyafulu, who serves on the House Committee on Education, praised the NNPC-Seplat JV for making practical science education more accessible to public school students.

"Today, Seplat has come to Oshimili South, Delta State, to donate these two labs to two schools in Oshimili South. That’s huge," she said.

The lawmaker noted that this project will motivate students to pursue science-related fields and will also help teachers provide hands-on instruction.

She expressed gratitude to public-school teachers for their commitment to teaching, saying that many people often underestimate the quality of education in public schools. "Our public schools have the best teachers, not just in Delta; I’m sure across the country, and many people look down on public schools," she said.

Mrs Anyafulu believes investing in education can change communities. She emphasized that the impact of the laboratories will reach beyond Oshimili South to Delta State and Nigeria as a whole.

"When you give education to a child, you have prepared that community," she stated. She is hopeful that these laboratories will help produce medical doctors, scientists, pharmacists, and other professionals who will contribute to Nigeria's development.

"You just see the laboratories, but the outcome of what you have planted today in years to come will be huge for us, not just from this local government but for the state and Nigeria," Mrs Anyafulu concluded.