STEM Education Key To Nigeria’s Development–Esuabana
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mrs Esuabana Nko Asanye, has emphasised that Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) remain the gateway to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
Represented by the overseeing Director of Science, Technology and Promotion, Dr Victor Fadipe, Mrs Esuabana made the remark at the maiden Science Fair and Exhibition of the Federal Capital College of Education, School of Sciences, Zuba, held in Abuja on Sunday.
She described the theme of the event, Innovation: A Quest to Survive in a Challenging World, as timely, stressing that nations that fail to embrace science, technology and innovation are “inevitably left behind.”
The Permanent Secretary, also called for greater investment in research and development, describing it as the bedrock of economic growth.
The Permanent Secretary commended the organisers for encouraging innovation and pledged the Ministry’s support.
She was later honoured with an award for outstanding leadership and commitment to advancing science and innovation in Nigeria.
In his goodwill message, Chairman of the House Committee on Colleges of Education, Hon Adamu Tanko, said no nation had ever achieved growth without deploying technology across its economy.
The Provost of the College, Dr Sule Mundi, said the exhibition demonstrated the transformation of theory into practical products, while Dean of the School of Sciences, Dr Lauratu Kurawa, noted that innovation remained vital in tackling Nigeria’s pressing challenges, from poverty to environmental degradation.
At the event, Miss Joy Ezekiel was celebrated as an Ambassador for Girl-Child Development in Innovation, Science and Technology.
Highlights of the exhibition included award-winning projects such as a solar seed planter and fertiliser spray device by the College’s Biology Department, a solar generator by the Computer Science Department, and a solar panel evaporator by the Physics Department.
In the secondary school category, Government Science and Technical College, Garki, won first place with its flexible sanitary pads innovation, followed by Government Science and Technical College, Kwali, with an insect terminator device, while Government Science and Technical Secondary School, Pyakassa, came third with a hibiscus flower indicator project.
