Foremost technology giant, Zinox Technologies Ltd. has partnered with EdVigor, an outreach of Harvard-trained resource experts versed in the development of learning curriculum, to re-train over 1000 tertiary teachers, even as the company has underlined its determination to take its message of responsible citizenship-leadership to teachers across other states in Nigeria.
The company had hosted a Teacher Empowerment Workshop which featured master-classes, special curriculum development sessions, fireside chats with resource persons and a series of presentations which touched on responsible citizenship and leadership in a technology-mediated world.
The three-day event was held at the Alvan Ikoku College of Education (AICOE) Owerri, Imo State from Wednesday August 14th – Friday August 16th 2019. Further, the workshop featured participation by teachers from the host institution and others drawn from Imo State and other states in the South-East.
The auspicious event had in attendance representatives of the Imo State Government and Senior Management and academic staff of AICOE. Also in attendance were Heads of Schools and Institutions; Company CEOs Heads of Organizations, Agencies, Parastatals and representatives of various MDAs, among others. Further gracing the occasion was the Country Manager of Yahsat, Mr. Khalil Faousaz.
Also instrumental to the success of the workshop was Dr. Chibuike Nwachukwu, Head of the Research and Development Committee of AICOE, who coordinated the planning of the event.
Managing Director, Zinox, Mrs. Kelechi Eze-Okonta affirmed that the company is keen to break a new jinx with the re-training and equipping of teachers in various parts of the country.
“Continuing in breaking further jinxes, we realized the need to commence the development of internal capacities through the empowerment of our teachers by improving their teaching skills and knowledge base. We firmly believe that the future of Nigeria and Africa lies in the skillful impartation of knowledge and training of the citizenry to drive home the ideals of Citizenship, Leadership, Self-Awareness/Development, Creativity and Ability to learn and Unlearn/Relearn.
“In our efforts to bring this home, we happily, found a partner in EDVIGOR, an outreach of Harvard trained resource group; experts in the development of learning curriculum, with the mission to stimulate positive change through social and academic education.
“This is another vital jinx we aim to break. We shall take this message to other states in our push to empower the relevant stakeholders and build the base for our socio-economic progression starting from Imo State. We, therefore, need your willingness, buy-in and support,” she enthused.
Founder, EdVigor, Ms. Nneamaka Enechi toed the same path. The Harvard-trained educationist who anchored the master-classes, disclosed her delight at the support received from Zinox which made the workshop possible.
She noted that the teachers displayed a high level of participation and quick grasp of the learning concepts, even as she expressed her intention to reach more teachers across the country in future editions.
The event also featured a panel session with the theme – Citizenship and Leadership in a global world governed by ICT. Panelists – including Prof. Ndu Dikeocha, a visiting scholar from the University of Houston, Dr. A.B.C. Duruaku, Founder, EdVigor, Ms. Enechi and General Manager, Zinox, Mr. Uche Onyechere – dwelt on the concept of responsible citizenship, the role of teachers in shaping citizenship and leadership ideals as well as measures to rein in irresponsible citizenship in tech usage/consumption.
Also raising the excitement was a series of raffle draw/give-away from which participants won amazing prices including Zpad tablets. The event also featured a social media competition on the Zinox Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages. Joel Omogu, a staff of the Research and Development unit, emerged the winner and smiled home with the grand prize of an iTEC TV. Four other lucky winners also won a 2KVA iPowerPlus inverter worth N45,000 at a give-away price of N5000.
