By DAYO ADESULU

No fewer than 12 public primary school teachers drawn from Bariga and Shomolu communities in Lagos State were empowered last Saturday with three months free computer appreciation scholarship programme by LUCINMA.

Mrs. Ukor Princess Mokolo, founder of LUCINMA Women Development Centre, while delivering a speech at the graduation ceremony  tagged: Lucinma Computer Literacy for Educators’ (LUCOLITE) said that  the programme was designed to equip educators with current information technology tips, tools and critical computer literacy skills to simplify their tasks of inspiring and empowering students.

Mokolo who spoke through the Executive Secretary of the centre, Mrs. Lucy Jonah, added that the initiative to empower the 12 awardees was driven by a deep passion for human development and commitment to positively impact on the lives of teachers, maintaining  that the beneficiaries who once  saw computer as a mere technology not only operate computers now but apply it for effective delivery of their duties as moulders of future leaders.

According to her, the programme provides valuable information, skills, tools and resources to enhance classroom administrative tasks, handout/syllabus preparation and timely updates, presentations, research and access to global best practices in the use of information technology for improving teaching and training delivery and education outcomes.

Her words; “LUCOLITE is designed to equip educators; teachers, lecturers and trainers with relevant information technology tools and critical computer literacy skills to simplify their tasks of inspiring and empowering learners to achieve excellence.”

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary noted that the centre which was establishment in 2004 as a Non Government Organisation had since focused on women development and model empowerment programmes for indigent widows, house wives and high school graduates through tuition free scholarships provided by the foundation, adding, “ the pilot computer training for educators had made significant changes in the lives of the beneficiaries.

Special Guest of honour and keynote speaker, Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Mr. Yinka Sanni, addressing the graduands and guests on, “Role of Computer Literacy for Educators in Improving Education Outcomes” said the training would enhance teaching methodology, bring about improved productivity and make the teachers more competitive by remaining relevant in a changing world.

“An educator becomes a better person as the computer literacy would enhance his or her productivity within and outside the school. Rather than moving from the office to physically see the principal, messages can be sent through e-mails; on the other hand, the principal can call a meeting by sending mails to his staff”, he said.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of prizes and awards to the overall best student, Mrs. Roseline Ogbunye, a teacher at Adeite Primary School, Bariga and outstanding philanthropist and community leadership award to Pa. Joseph Eseka in recognition of his dedicated support for vocational and technology education and community development programme in Nigeria.

The best overall student, who went away with a Compaq brand new laptop, in an interview with Daily Independent said, “What I was unable to do before are now easier for me. Before, I was a novice who did not know anything about computer. Although my children use computer, I never knew how to operate the system. Now, I can do a lot of work on the computer using Microsoft Word and excel to do students results and also use the internet for different jobs and surf information. I give thanks to the organisers for this life time opportunity. I am a better person and computer literate woman,” she said.