Traditional ruler of Rumueme Community in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, celebrates the State Primary School in Obio/Akpor for winning the Oando Foundation’s Primary School Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Competition
By Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
State Primary School Rumueme in Obio/Akpor Local Government of Rivers state, has emerged winner of the 2025 Oando Foundation Primary School Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) competition. The school won the competition with its innovative project featuring a table fan and light bulb powered by lemons during the close-out ceremony of the Foundation’s STEAM project in Port Harcourt.
The initiative implemented across 30 public primary schools in Rivers State is aimed at strengthening the teaching and learning of the special subjects, while equipping pupils with critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and problem-solving skills required in the 21st Century.
State Primary School, Elekahia emerged first runner-up with its biogas production project using organic waste, while State Primary School Rumuokurushi came third. Other finishers included Universal Primary Education (UPE) Choba, which showcased a water dispenser project and All Saints Model Primary school, Rumuokwurusi, which developed a smart waste bin designed to eliminate foul smell.
Speaking at the event, Head of Oando Foundation, Miss Tonia Uduimoh, said the foundation remains committed to expanding access to quality education and ensuring that children in public schools acquired practical skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
According to Uduimoh, the foundation’s goal is not only to improve access to education but also to enhance learning outcomes by exposing pupils to experiential and hands-on learning. She stated that STEAM project was introduced to bridge existing gap in science education in public primary schools by making learning practical, engaging and enjoyable for pupils.
Uduimoh said, “This project is about preparing children for the future, the traditional way of learning is no longer enough. Children need opportunities to develop critical thinking, creativity and innovation through practical learning experiences.”
She explained that the project was piloted in 30 public primary schools across Rivers State, stressing that its success has encouraged the foundation to scale up the initiative. Uduimoh also disclosed that the programme involved extensive teacher and pupil training as well as mentorship designed to expose children to careers in science and technology.
Co-founder of STEM METS, Mrs. Jadesola Adedeji, said the organisation was committed to transforming educational experiences for children by raising future innovators and problem solvers.
Adedeji revealed that STEM METS had over the past 12 years, impacted more than 50,000 children and trained over 2,000 teachers through various STEM based learning programmes across Nigeria and Africa.
According to her, under the Oando Foundation project, 300 teachers and 1,500 pupils were trained in design thinking before being challenged to develop practical solutions to problems within their communities.
Adedeji stated: “The children received only five weeks of training before developing these remarkable projects. This demonstrates the enormous potential that exists in our public schools when children are given the right exposure and support.”
She said volunteers from Oando also served as mentors, inspiring pupils to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics while helping them understand the practical application of classroom learning.
In his remarks, Executive Chairman of Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board, (RSUBEB) Mr. Samuel Ogeh commended Oando Foundation for introducing an initiative that encouraged innovation and practical learning among pupils.
Ogeh said the project had shifted learning away from rote memorisation to problem-solving and creativity, adding that the board is committed to sustaining the programme by integrating its principles into state’s education system.
Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of Rumueme kingdom, His Majesty Henry Nyeche Nsirim has pledged support to Rumueme state Primary school which made his kingdom proud in the just concluded Oando Foundation school competition. The Rumueme Monarch made the pledge when the Head Teacher of the school Mrs. Chidinma Pepple, some teachers and pupils paid him a courtesy visit and to present to him the trophy they won during the competition.
Speaking during the courtesy visit to the traditional ruler, the Head Teacher said the pupils won the competition with an innovative project featuring a table, fan and light bulb powered by lemons at the grande finale of the Oando Foundation STEAM Project.
Mrs. Pepple also used the opportunity to present key challenges facing the school and appealed to the traditional Ruler for intervention to improve teaching and learning. She said that the school lacks security and basic facilities such as power supply, water, functional toilet, good writing boards, instructional materials, bookshelves among others.
According to her, no upgrade has been carried out since the school was built by the Rivers government in 2011. Most classrooms are dilapidated, with leaking roofs, damaged furniture, collapsed ceilings and empty classrooms due to lack of desks.
She added that the poor condition of the rooftops, coupled with the absence of security measures, vandalism and theft of school property, poses a serious threat to the effective management of the school. The Head Teacher of State School Rumueme also appealed to corporate organisations and well-meaning individuals from Rumueme and beyond to support the public school in order to sustain the gain made by the pupils and secure a better learning environment for them.
Rumueme Monarch, His Majesty, Henry Nyeche Nsirim was full of commendation for the outstanding performance of the pupils at competition by Oando Foundation. He described their win as a testament to the potentials that exist in public schools when pupils are given the right support and platform.
The Monarch pledged to personally visit the school in coming weeks to interface with teachers and pupils, and to develop a framework for nurturing the creativity and innovative talents demonstrated by the pupils at the competition.
He further assured that he would formally present the challenges facing the Rumueme State Primary School to the Rivers State government and advocate urgent intervention programmes to improve teaching and learning.
