The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora has called on parents to invest and be committed to girl child education in the country.
Dr Adeleke stated this on Friday when the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) paid a courtesy visit to him in his office in Abuja.
The Minister noted that the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) is an umbrella body of female Engineers in Nigeria and the Diaspora, stressing that engineering in particular is a field dominated by men in the past and that women are gradually taking their place to compete with their men counterparts.
Dr Adeleke further stated that the goal of the Association is to sensitize young girls with the intention of encouraging them to study engineering courses explaining that Engineering field will spur women to achieve professional excellence based on Science, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM).
He added that the ministry will collaborate with STEM to increase the number of women in Engineering studies in Nigeria.
The Minister emphasized that Engineering is one of the self-employing courses in the World, and Nigerian women should be sensitized toward engaging in such a field.
He noted that young girls will be more innovative, creative and great inventors if they are identified early in life for the socio-economic development and growth of our country.
Dr Adeleke, however, commended the Association for their efforts toward girl child education and assured them of the Ministry’s collaboration with the Association.
Earlier, Engr. Dr Elizabeth Jumoke Eterigho informed the Minister that the Association has sensitized and encouraged many students in the six geopolitical zones of the country, stressing that such ventures have stimulated their interest in studying science subjects.
She stated that the main objective of the visit is to collaborate with the ministry in order to execute their capacity projects whose multiplier effects will increase the opportunities available to girls in engineering studies.
