– Harps On Importance Of Equipping Girls With Knowledge Of STEM
Society of Women Engineers Owerri, the apex umbrella body of female Engineers, on Tuesday, May, 28, 2024 organized a Mathematics competition for female students of secondary schools, in Owerri and environ at the Engineering Center, located inside the premises of the Nigeria Society of Engineers, off Chukwuma Nwoha Road, Owerri.
The first round of the one-day competition involved the students answering individual speedy questions, while the second round which took place shortly before the lunch break, was Teamwork/Math Games. The third round of the competition, was on practical Application or Problem Solving, all of which, were aimed at sharpening the intellect, imagination and capacity of the students for logical reasoning.
The Affiliate Lead, Chief Examiner and Co-ordinator of the competition, Engr Mrs Ogochukwu Eleanor Metu, in her welcome address, said, the competition is aimed at encouraging female students to aim for greater heights by shunning all natural, societal and self-imposed inhibitions to be the best and make the best out of their lives.
She further stated that, “the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) founded in 1950 is a not-for-profit educational and service organization, active in more than eighty (80) countries around the world. SWE is the driving force that establishes Engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women.
SWE empowers women to succeed and advance in their aspirations and be recognized for their contributions and achievements as Engineers and leaders in Engineering and related technical and scientific fields. The society is dedicated to providing a collaborative and educational forum for female Engineers around the world.
SWE OWERRI MATHEMATICS COMPETITION for girls is pivotal in fostering STEM development by encouraging and bolstering girls’ confidence to pursue challenging careers in STEM, foster creativity through diverse mathematical challenges, nurture problem-solving skills essential for innovation in STEM, showcase girls’ mathematical prowess, challenge gender stereotype and promote inclusivity in STEM, cultivate teamwork and communication skills crucial for success in STEM professions while inspiring future leaders and innovators in STEM”.
“Our mission is to empower young women in Mathematics through an inclusive platform that cultivates interest and excellence by presenting diverse Mathematical challenges, nurturing problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, teamwork and strong sense of belonging in the field”.
In the same vein, “our vision is to inspire and empower young women to excel in Mathematics, fostering confidence and love for the subject while challenging stereotype and promoting gender equality in STEM fields”.
Other officials of SWE who spoke at the event, including Engr ChinyereNnenna Igwegbe, Professional Development Lead, SWE Africa Network and Chief Moderator of the Programme, Engr Dr Mrs Magdalene Akanbi, SWE Owerri Adviser and Moderator of the competition, Engr Mrs Happiness Nestor-Emeribe, SWE, Affiliate Owerri Programs Coordinators, and Examiner for the competition, Engr Mrs Stella Uzochukwu Dennis, SWE, Africa, SWE Next Coordinator for the competition Engr Mrs, Oluchi Obioha, SWE, Affiliate, Owerri and Grader for the competition, and Engr Mrs Iroegbu, member, SWE Affiliate Owerri and Grader for the competition, in their separation speeches, aligned themselves with Engr Mrs Ogochukwu Eleanor Metu’s speech, adding that the focus of SWE, is to nurture and mentor female students to have confidence in themselves and believe that with determination they, can achieve set goals and objective.
Speaking at the occasion, the Executive Secretary, Secondary Education Management Board SEMB, Mrs Tina Azubuike, who was accompanied by the Director, Procurement, Research and Statics, (DPRS) Dr Mrs J.C Agim, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mrs Ifeyinwa Udenkwo and the Principal, Ikenegbu Secondary School, Mrs Obiageri Nnaemeka-Agu commended the organizers of the mathematics competition for their noble initiative which she described as a worthy and fundamental approach towards empowering girls and equipping them for future challenges.
She advised the participants to make good use of the opportunity by being focused, proactive and result-oriented with a view to achieving success in life. According to her, “if these ladies here, can achieve their respective heights and useful to the society, you can also do that and even go higher than them. I therefore urge you to shun all kinds of distraction that will impede your upward mobility.
At the end of the competition, City Secondary School, Owerri, came first, while Girls Secondary School, Akwakwuma, in Owerri North L.G.A and Ikenegbu Girls Secondary School, in Owerri, Municipal Council, came second and third respectively. They were rewarded with befitting prizes including wrist watches, text books, school bags, etc, while other schools who participated in the competition were also given consolatory prizes.
Dignitaries present at the occasion were officials of SWE, volunteers, teachers of the various schools that participated in the competition and gentlemen of the press.
