The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Trans Amadi branch, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has renewed its commitment to building the future of Nigerian youths by creating STEM awareness in public secondary schools in the state.

During the event, which held at The Event Centre, TotalEnergies EP Port Harcourt Office in Rivers State, the branch led by Dr. Jonathan Francis hosted students from the participating schools in sessions which included quiz competition, technical excursion to digital innovation centres, career talks and inauguration of V-STEM Clubs in the schools.

President and Chairman of Council of the NSE, Alimasuya Rabiu, who was represented by the immediate past President of NSE, Margaret Aina Oguntala, commending the initiative.

Oguntala thanked the Trans Amadi branch for always championing nation-building initiatives. According to her, “the significance of the programme lies in catching them young and teaching them how important it is to innovate and turn their ideas into solutions for national development.”

In his keynote address themed, ‘Dream, Dare, Discover: Your Journey into the World of STEM,’ the special guest of honour, Olatunji Akinwumi, reminded the students of the need to dream big, learn continuously and put action to their dreams to make meaningful contributions to mankind.

Akinwumi, who is the Executive Director, Corporate Services, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria, said: “I encourage you to read widely. Ask questions in class. Participate in science clubs. Watch educational videos. Learn new digital skills.
Explore coding, robotics, engineering projects and scientific experiments. Learning should not stop when the school bell rings. The most successful people are lifelong learners. Sometimes, in your quest for success, you may fail. That’s totally okay. Failure is not the end. Failure does not mean you are not intelligent. Every successful engineer, scientist, entrepreneur, athlete and leader has experienced setbacks.”

The Deputy Managing Director of TotalEnergies, Victor Bandele, in his speech titled, ‘Igniting the Future of STEM,’ highlighted the birth of the Victor Bandele NSE Trans Amadi Branch Post-Primary School STEM Scholarship Award.

“This scholarship was born out of a clear vision: to identify, nurture and empower the brightest young minds within the public secondary schools of Rivers State.

“To our three finalists standing here today: you did not get here by luck. You emerged as the top three candidates through a rigorous, highly competitive testing process. Out of many, you proved your dedication, critical thinking and passion for science. You have made your schools, your families and all of us incredibly proud.

“This award is a long-term commitment to your academic journey. The scheme will provide each of you with an annual award of N100,000 throughout your senior secondary school years—covering SS1, SS2 and SS3. Furthermore, when you reach your final year in SS3, this scheme will fully cover your WAEC examination fees,” he said.

The event, which also attracted Executive Director Executive Director, JV Assets, TotalEnergies E&P Nigeria Limited, Obi Imemba, as a special guest of honour had stakeholders from Rivers State education sector and marked the official commissioning of the Office Secretariat of the NSE, Trans Amadi branch.