The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has identified Chemistry as a subject of study giving students much challenge in Niger Delta.
The Commission said it used opportunity of competitions to identify gaps in the regions and design solutions.
The NDDC thus reaffirmed its commitment to educational development, emphasising the closing of the deficient gaps in core areas of study in secondary schools in the region.
Samuel Ogbuku, the NDDC Managing Director, stated this during the grand finale of the NDDC Secondary Schools Quiz held in Port Harcourt.
Ogbuku, who was represented by the Director of Education, Health, and Social Services, George Uzonwanne, stated that the NDDC considered education as crucial in the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.
He noted that a well-grounded education is a bedrock for success in the future. “This competition aims to get the best among students in the region. We strive to establish a value for education in the area.
“We also want to identify the gaps and weaknesses to help ascertain where schools require intervention. During this competition, we observed that Chemistry has been a consistent issue for students compared to Mathematics and Physics.
“Gaps like this are identified through competitions. As an interventionist agency, we will build support and enhance capacity in these fields.”
Read also: Niger Delta children must be assisted to bond for sake of the future – NDDC boss
The NDDC boss noted that the world is in the 4th industrial revolution, hence, the competition focused more on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
He stressed thus, “We focused more on science-based subjects because of the industrial revolution. We have Physics, Chemistry, and Biology under the sciences. The next edition of this competition would accommodate more subjects.”
He observed that the participants of the competition did excellently well. “The standards of the competition are very high. Some of the questions asked are tertiary level but the children were able to deal with them. I want to encourage the children to remain steadfast in their educational pursuit as they are the future of the region.”
The lead consultant for the competition, Jude Ndubuisi, thanked the NDDC for its significant contribution to educational development, noting, “This competition supports the vision of the NDDC to ensure education continues to be what it is supposed to be. The Niger Delta is known for producing talents, not just in sports and music, but also in the intellectual sphere.
“The students are also excited. This competition is an inspiring moment for them. During the preliminaries, we identified great scientists. You should see the remarkable intelligence of these children. For some of them, it is their first time in Port Harcourt.”
According to Seledi Thompson-Wakama,
Director, Corporate Affairs Division of the NDDC, the DSC Technical High School, representing Delta State, emerged as the winner of the competition, receiving cash gifts and laptops for the school and participating students.
