By Modupe Gbadeyanka
An innovation centre aimed to equip students with entrepreneurial, practical, and creative skills has been commissioned by Egbin Power Plc.
The state-of-the-art facility, located within the Powerfields Group of Schools in Ikorodu, owned by Egbin Power, a member of the Sahara Group, is part of the energy firm’s commitment to advancing education in the country.
The innovation hub, known as the Bright Gyimah Centre for Innovation, will allow students to learn skills needed to thrive in the modern educational landscape.
They will take courses in Information Technology (IT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI), exploring their creativity in arts, music, culinary, and hospitality.
The facility has an AI Laboratory for students to learn, create and deploy applications. The well-equipped Cooking Lab and Hospitality Room will enable the students to acquire professional training and skills in catering and hospitality. Other facilities at the centre are the Music Lab, IT Lab, Art Studio, Auditorium, etc.
According to the Administrator of Powerfields Group of Schools, Mr Ngozi Emezue, the centre will provide experiential learning, boost students’ confidence, and enable them to translate theoretical knowledge into practical applications.
“This centre represents a significant investment in the future, playing a key role in nurturing the next generation of leaders and innovators. The Governing Council and the Management are excited to witness the impact of the innovation hub on students, teachers and the community around us,” she said.
“It will also enhance the continuous professional development of the teachers. It has added to our value proposition, giving us a competitive advantage, because not so many schools have such facilities. Therefore, we want to commend everyone who has made this possible,” Ms Emezue added.
The Head of Corporate Communications and Branding at Egbin Power Plc, Mr Felix Ofulue, while commenting on the development, said the initiative aims to create a dynamic learning environment that fosters creativity and innovation.
“The facility will open doors to exciting career opportunities for learners, serving as a beacon of hope for comprehensive, quality education and has the potential to revolutionize education in our society,” he said.
“This initiative demonstrates our dedication to advancing education and highlights our readiness to continuously groom future leaders. The skills acquired here will enable learners to become architects of their success, supporting socio-economic growth,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the Governing Council of Powerfields Group of Schools, the Director of Governance and Sustainability at Sahara Group, Ms Ejiro Gray, said, “At Sahara Group, sustainability extends beyond organizational boundaries to include positive societal impact. We aim to position students to compete globally, providing them with the right platform to learn and apply their skills.”
On his part, the Chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of the school, Mr Matthew Amadi, said, “The establishment of this centre for innovation further positions Powerfields School as an exemplary learning institution where students receive quality education, practical skills and also expand their horizon beyond the textbook, thereby giving them an edge and making them outstandingly creative and competitive globally.”
In her remarks, the daughter of Mr Bright Gyimah, Ms Caroline Uzoigwe, commended Egbin Power for naming the innovation centre after her late father, a former General Manager of the plant.
