IHS Towers, a telecommunications infrastructure provider, says it is partnering with Limitless Space Institute (LSI), USA, to revolutionise science education in Nigeria through training of teachers on space technology.
Mr Dapo Otunla, the Chief Corporate Services Officer, IHS Towers, said this during a media roundtable and public presentation of global educators programme beneficiaries in Lagos.
He said that the scheme had been impactful in improving Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) studies in Nigeria.
“The programme has not only trained teachers, but also provided a broader spectrum of solving immediate societal challenges using scientific approaches,” Otunla said.
He said that IHS Towers was committed to education as one of its sustainability pillars, aiding economic growth.
According to him, the organisation has established innovation hubs, IT facilities, and scholarship schemes across Nigeria.
“Over 50 children of our staff are currently enrolled in our scholarship programme across Nigeria.
“We have also sponsored 20 teachers – 10 in Nigeria and 10 in Brazil – for space science training,” Otunla added.
Speaking about the company, Otunla said IHS Towers started in Nigeria in 2001 as a telecommunications infrastructure provider and today have about 16,000 telecommunications mast all over the country.
Otunla added that the impact of the company had been felt in many communities in Nigeria, hence, the need to sustain the legacy in science education.
“It is important for us to enhance knowledge in space science and so we plugged into the LSI programme.
“We have been able to build innovation hub in Alimosho, IT Facility in Ladoke Akintola University in Ogbomoso and others in Minna and Zaria.
“We also have our footprint on girl- child education and also sponsor a scholarship scheme for the workforce of IHS Towers,” he said.
The Executive Director, LSI, Mrs Kaci Heins, said the programme aimed to increase confidence, knowledge, and efficiency of integrating STEM in schools.
“We processed over 200 applications from Nigerian teachers and selected 10 on merit. We are excited to provide valuable support to schools and institutions in Nigeria.
“We are happy to be part of this movement. I am a teacher in middle School, a Science teacher.
“The space technology initiative covers countries all over the world and now we have partnership with IHS in Nigeria and Brazil.
Kaci said the programme was also focused on aspiration and team work because they want many people to join.
“We are excited to be in Nigeria to provide valuable support to schools and other institutions and we will continue the programme not just with the educator but interested parties in Nigeria,” she said.
One of the beneficiaries, Maranatha Haa, a Chemistry teacher in Federal Government College, Jos, shared her experience, saying the training had enabled her to integrate space science knowledge into her classroom.
“I have gained so much and have been able to relate chemistry to space technology, sparking curiosity among my students,” Haa said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ten Nigerian teachers benefited from the IHS/LSI scheme, including Abubakar Wahab-Ishola, Sango Senior Secondary School, Kwara; Kayode Adewale, Imagbon Imaka High School, Lagos; and Roshidat Ademosu, Eva Adelaja Girls Junior Secondary School, Lagos.
Others are Joshua James, Greenpath Preparatory School, Abuja; Abraham Ngobiri, Federal Government College, Enugu; Blessing Abila, ECWA Secondary School, Makurdi; Oluyinka Adeosun, Ilupeju Junior Grammar School, Lagos; and Soji Megbewon, Ifesowapo Aboru Senior Secondary School, Lagos.
The beneficiaries received all-expenses-paid training in the U.S., lasting 12 months.
NAN reports that IHS Towers and LSI have resolved to sustain the programme, providing infrastructural facilities and expanding its reach to more Nigerian teachers and students.(NAN)
