Abuja: Dr Atinuke Owolabi, a member of the North Central Development Commission representing the Southwest, has launched a 10-year Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) empowerment initiative for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) children. Owolabi, who is also a Society for Women Engineers (SWE) Ambassador in the United States, disclosed this during an outreach at the IDP camp in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the expert, who is also a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), established the empowerment initiative to mark her 50th birthday and World Engineering Day. Owolabi expressed her intention to inspire and mentor vulnerable children affected by terrorist attacks and insurgency, emphasizing that their current circumstances should not define their future. The initiative, named “Seeds of Hope, Planting Today, Engineering Tomorrow,” aims to guide children towards studying engineering and other STEM-related courses.
Initially, the children at the camp had limited knowledge about STEM or engineering. Owolabi stressed the importance of introducing them to these fields, as the future of the country and the world depends on them. The initiative includes a 10-year investment camp, focusing on various skills, including digital skills, and aims to integrate the children into society by connecting them with innovators and professionals both locally and internationally.
Owolabi also mentioned the provision of laptops to connect the children to global learning platforms and international opportunities. Scholarships for outstanding participants and the inauguration of the Society of Women Engineers Next Generation Club are part of the initiative. Additionally, Owolabi called on the Ministry of Environment to improve the sanitary conditions of the camp, making it more conducive for the children’s learning.
Dr Felix Adegboye, President of the Nigeria Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE), commended Owolabi’s decision to celebrate her birthday by supporting the initiative. Adegboye encouraged the girls to focus on their academics and not be discouraged by their backgrounds. Mr Simeon Isibor, Registrar of the Chartered Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, highlighted the outreach’s importance for corporate social responsibility and pledged ongoing support, donating N100,000 to the children.
Stella Ozochukwu-Dennis, who facilitated hands-on experiments, introduced the children to simple robotic projects using everyday materials, including building a “wiggle bot” capable of drawing shapes. Another project involved converting discarded plastic bottles into solar lamps to aid the children’s study at night. Ozochukwu-Dennis emphasized the importance of providing the children with exposure similar to those in privileged schools, with plans to continue building their capacity every Saturday for the next decade.