Women Engineers Move To Encourage Girls To Study/pick Interest In Science, Engineering Subjects

–––Inaugurates 4th APWEN Osogbo Chairman, Engr Olufela Adeola Adeniyi

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has said it would continue to encourage women and girls on the need for them to develop keen interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.

APWEN added that science, technology, and innovation are the “forces” that drive the economy of the nation, and encouraging girls participation in STEM will help in building the nation.

Engr Olufela Adeola Adeniyi made this known in her inaugural address, in Osogbo, on Tuesday.

Engr Adeniyi who is the 4th Chairman of Osogbo chapter of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria said she and her team will work assiduously to ensure that more School girls are interested in studying STEM subjects.

She posited that the solution to overcoming the girls’ challenges lies in empowering and educating them, describing STEM as a means to emancipate and empower Nigerian girls

She noted that STEM is a key factor in the growth and development of a nation, but lamented low enrolment of girls in the field.

According to her, the lack of encouragement of young women and girls to develop interests in STEM poses a big obstacle.

“We must not forget that the participation of girls in fields of science, technology engineering and mathematics will play a large role in the sustainable development of Nigeria.

“Under my leadership , the team will continue to emphasis more on the school girls to be more interested in studying the STEM subjects and engineering practice.

“Together with my team, we have embarked on an outreach tagged “Operation Girls Do STEM”. Where we pay visit to secondary schools in order to encourage girls not to see STEM subject as boys subject and to catch them young.

She, however, appreciated members of the association, pioneer Chairman, Engr. D.F Jokotola, her past Chairman, Engr Dr. A.R Iyanda and her Immediate Past Chairman, Engr Oyebode B. A. saying they were the great women of value that inspired her.

Earlier in her welcome address, Engr. Dr. Elizabeth Jumoke Eterigho, President, APWEN said that the Association is committed to the technological advancement of Nigeria by driving professional growth of her members and encouraging young girls to take up the study of Science, Technology, Mathematics and Engineering.

According to her, APWEN’s mission is indeed to stimulate women engineers to achieve excellence and leadership in the profession and the society.

She added that APWEN is a platform for stimulating, promoting and enhancing women’s interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

“We encourage sound engineering practice and we create avenue for women engineers to collaborate with professionals across all disciplines in Nigeria and globally.

CityMirrorNews reports that the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) is a non-profit, non-educational service organization and a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

APWEN was formally launched in 1983 and have a current membership of about 4000 registered female engineers.

At the the Programme of award and scholarship which had many prominent Nigerians and professional engineers in attendance, Engr Olufela Adeola Adeniyi and her team was inaugurated.

The Theme of this year APWEN week is “Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: Roles of Female Engineers”.

However, awards of recognition was giving to Engr. David Olaniyi Oladele and other distinguished personalities just as scholarship awards were giving to some students who performed excellently well in the quiz Competition organised by APWEN.