Association of professional Women Engineers of Nigeria, APWEN Lagos Chapter joined the world in marking the World International Day of Women and Girls In Science at the Girls’ Senior High School, Agege, Lagos. The event which held on February 12, 2021 at the school premise was also a part of the Association’s STEM Campaign/ Career Talk with students and parents of Girls in attendance.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Chapter, Engr Mary Afolayan encouraged the girls to consider future careers in Science and Engineering as they would find it highly rewarding. Speaking on the 2021 Theme for the Event: “Women Scientists at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19”, she highlighted various efforts played by scientists in the fight against the pandemic. She said the pandemic has further exposed the importance of Scientists and Engineers and their problem solving capacities. She also highlighted the roles played by Women Scientists and engineers.
The chapter presented Award of Excellence to Miss Babajide Shukurat, the best Female Science student in Girls’ Senior High School Agege who is also aspiring to study Engineering. she will also benefit from scholarship from the Chapter.
The representative of District 1 Tutor General, Mrs Owoh, the District Counsellor expressed appreciation on behalf of the school to the Chairman and her team for the consistent support of APWEN towards the teachers and Students. She used the opportunity to also counsel the students that their journey towards becoming scientists and engineers begins with sound academic performance in School.
Other members of APWEN delegates who accompanied the Chairman are the Vice Chairman, Engr. Abimbola Alagbe National Publicity Secretary, Engr. Bosede Oyekunle, Assistant General Secretary, Engr. Adebayo Oluwashina and Publicity Secretary, Engr Olayemi Fayokun.
…Ilorin sensitizes girls of the importance of Engineering
Meanwhile, APWEN Ilorin Chapter marked the day by training girls in secondary schools on basic Engineering and Sciences skills while also urging the girls to be part of the community of engineers in future who provide solutions to the problems of the society.
Speaking at the programme, Engr Oluwatoyin Babatunde, the Chairman of APWEN Kwara Chapter said women Scientists are at the forefront of fighting the COVID:19 pandemic across the world.
She said that women are also ensuring that their family is safe through constant care for the children and the environment.
Babatunde however observed that there are fewer girls that show interest in the Engineering profession, due to the erroneous belief that it is strictly male dominated profession. She encouraged girls not be afraid to go into the Engineering profession, adding that it is time for both gender to come together and solve the problems of the world.
Also speaking, Dr Rasheedat Mahamood, Lecturer at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ilorin explained that Engineering is an interesting and problem solving profession. According to her, Engineering and Science is applied to every aspect of life, while advising that there is nothing boys can do that the girls cannot do. “It is a profession that uses the brain to think logically and proffer solution to problems,” she said.
Mrs Nihinlola Olawuyi, the Vice-Chairman of the Chapter also spoke at the event. She disclosed that the profession comes with financial security and career satisfaction.
Part of the event on the day also included science experiment training conducted by Dr Mahamood. Titled: demonstration of simple flash light for illumination and hand fan”.
Some of the schools that took part in the International Day for Women and Girls in Science, includes St. Anthony Secondary Schools Ilorin, University of Ilorin Secondary Schools and the Lower Niger River Basin Secondary School, Ilorin.
…In Bening Osaide for Girls founded by Engr. Patricia Opene-Odili awarded scholaships..
Osaide for Girls in Science and Engineering Foundation founded by Engr. Mrs Patricia Opene-Odili, a past president of APWEN in collaboration with APWEN Benin Chapter awarded scholarship to girls in STEM the State.
The project who’s aim was to provide scholarships for your girls in STEM in Edo state. It also provides educational support to underprivileged girls between the ages of 5 and 18 and some universities in the city of Benin, Edo state.
As part of the tirst anniversary, which held on 14th February 2021, Seven girls were awarded Scholarships in categories that includes: Four secondary School girl’s and three University girls.
In the secondary school category, the beneficiaries are : Idemudia Esohe of St.Maria Goretti Girls grammar school, Purity Eloghosa Edegbe of St Maria Goretti Girls grammar school, Osaigbovo Franca of Oba Akenzua seconday school and Osamwonyi Mercy Imaguero of Girls Secondary School. All of them are un Senior Secondary Schools Class 3.
Under the University category, the beneficiaries are: Esther Imhande Ehiawaguan, Chemical engineering (a first class student with a CGPA of 4.94) and Jasmine Aizenosa Nosa-Ehima, Civil engineering. While Maduka Hephzibah Chidimma. Civil Engineering (postgraduate category) who made a second class upper(2¹) was also awarded.
Report Compiled by isqil Najim