The Federal Government has awarded scholarships to the three best students of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in the country.
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu said the award came as a challenge to young Nigerians to show interest in Science subjects through STEM.
Onu stated this during the presentation of certificates to the overall three best students that emerged champions at the Young Nigeria Scientists Presidential Award (YONSPA) on Monday in Abuja.
The Awardees are Maryam Olufunmilayo Ogunbayo of Pen Resource Academy, Gombe state, with the 1st position; Gbolahan Azeem Ayinde of African Church Grammar School, Ogun state, with the 2nd position while Uchendu Mmesomachukwu Judith of UNIBEN Demonstration Secondary school, Edo state, with the 3rd position respectively.
According to Onu, the scholarship is up to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree level, to three secondary school students who emerged winners at this year’s Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award Competition (774 YONSPA).
He said the scholarship is in any science-related discipline of their choice at any university in the country.
Onu encouraged the victorious students to continue working hard to be the best they can be especially by making Nigeria proud.
The Minister further reminded Nigerians that the country was the first to produce a Nobel laureate in literature.
He further urged the students to strive to be the first Nigerian Nobel laureates in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Edet Sunday Akpan said that the Ministry will follow up on the progress of the students, especially as they have bagged a scholarship to PhD level.
He encouraged the students to be ambassadors of Nigeria especially in the areas of the development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and used the opportunity to invite them to the 2022 edition of Science, Technology and Innovation Expo 2022, scheduled to hold between March 14th –Friday 18th this year.
In all, twenty-three (23) out of the thirty-six (36) states of the federation participated in the competition.
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