In order to promote STEM curricula in secondary schools across the nation, with a focus on girls, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has teamed up with the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria.
The association and St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, recently partnered to start the “STEMitout4girls” campaign, with the subject “Interest and Proficiency in STEM,” at the school.
The Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote expressed the Board’s willingness to work with the association to implement programs and policies that support the capacity development of women in his keynote address. He was represented by the Deputy Manager of the Capacity Building Division, Engr. Mofe Megbele.
The Board is authorized to hold workshops and trainings targeted at boosting the development of Nigerian Content, according to Section 70(n) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, which he cited.
He insisted that “there is no local content without Human Capacity Development and considerable growth has been accomplished via the implementation of the 10-year strategic roadmaps for the oil and gas industry to speed the attainment of 70% Nigerian Content by 2027.
Additionally, he noted that the value of educating girls in society cannot be overstated and that the quality of educated young girls is a prerequisite for the advancement of the nation. A well-educated girl child, he continued, can address the problems that the humanities face in the twenty-first century such as peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, food production, and environmental issues.
While praising the Association, the Executive Secretary gave the assurance that the Board would keep up its support for the female students who benefited from the STEM program and competition, as well as continue to monitor and evaluate their development and performances. “I anticipate that the pupils will fully implement the knowledge they have learned from this instruction to enhance their achievements in upcoming exams and contests.”
“Instilling quality STEM education in our girls is one quick method to support sustainable development. Armed with a great education, these girls can aspire to be whatever they want to be in the near future,” he continued.
According to the president of APWEN, Engr. Elizabeth Jumoke Eterigho, who also spoke. the training is intended to raise awareness about engineering as a viable career for girls, increase the number of female engineers in Nigeria, and give young girls the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing global environment.
She acknowledged that access to high-quality learning opportunities in STEM fields might be challenging, which explains why men seem to predominate in the engineering and scientific fields. She regretted that “our educational system has let gender differences persist and disproportionately affect the most marginalized females.”
She praised the NCDMB for the partnership and presented the “Diversity Champion Award” to the Executive Secretary for his untiring efforts to promote and empower the girl child.
