By Ebi Kesiena
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) partnership in the distribution of 45,000 U-Lesson Educational Tablets in primary and secondary schools across the Niger Delta region.
Speaking during the ceremony at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja, the wife of the President and Founder of the RHI described the initiative as an innovation that provides students with comprehensive learning resources for engaging and interactive educational experiences.
Oluremi Tinubu noted that the technology-driven learning method would enhance educational access and quality for students across the Niger Delta region, ensuring that school children were given the tools they needed to succeed.
She said the U-Lesson education software was tailored to align with the Nigerian educational system, ensuring relevance and effectiveness in the local context. She noted: “One of the standout features of this software is its offline video library, which allows learners to play, pause, and rewind educational content without needing an internet connection”.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Chiedu Ebie, remarked that the U-Lesson educational tablets strategy marked a significant step towards transforming education in Nigeria.
He said the collaborative effort with RHI would make a substantial impact, particularly in the Niger Delta region.
The Chairman said that the initiative underscored the unwavering commitment of the NDDC to the holistic development of the Niger Delta region.
The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh applauded the collaboration between the NDDC and RHI, stating that it represent a game-changing partnership. He equally commended President Bola Tinubu for taking a particular interest in the development of the Niger Delta region.
In his welcome address, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, observed that distributing the education tools was a practical demonstration of President Tinubu’s administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said that the U-Lesson tablets initiative was not merely about providing digital devices; “it is a significant leap forward in our commitment to integrating technology into the educational processes that shape our children’s future. By harnessing the power of these digital learning resources, we aim to enhance student engagement, streamline curriculum development and accessibility, and ultimately boost student performance and achievement.”
He said further: “The software includes parental controls and a long battery life of up to 18 hours, making it a reliable and safe tool for students and educators.
As we distribute this education software, services, and tablets, we are taking a significant step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”
“By equipping our schools with these digital tools, we supplement traditional face-to-face instruction and empower students to master their materials and perform better in their tests and examinations. We believe that every student in our region deserves access to quality education.”
Advising the students, Ogbuku said: “We hope that these tablets will inspire you to dream big, work hard, and achieve your goals. Education is the key to unlocking your potential and shaping your future.
He said that besides distributing the tablets, the NDDC had also employed a consultant to train teachers to use the U-Lesson tablets effectively across the nine mandate states.
The Managing Director of U-Lesson, Mr. Sim Shagaya, stated that giving the tablets to pupils and students in the Niger Delta region would put the children of everyday people on equal footing with those from wealthier backgrounds.
He noted that the U-Lesson educational tablets distributed by the NDDC were the largest investment in education technology by any government agency in Africa, stating that it was a huge intervention that both government and non-governmental agencies should emulate.
The World Health Organisation’s country Representative, Dr Walter Mulombo, said he was excited to witness what was unfolding in Nigeria in the area of education. He commended the U-lesson initiative and described it as the path to the future.
