Wuraola Foundation to provide 100 scholarships to indigent engineering students

.Flags off 3-in-1 projects

A woman engineer, Wuraola Atinuke Ajgbaje Owolabi, has flagged off her 3-in-1 projects with a promise to award 100 scholarships to indigent engineering students at collegiate entry (100 level).

Speaking at the maiden edition of the Education Support Initiative Projects, Engr. Owolabi stated that the Wuraola Atinuke  Agbaje Owolabi Capacity Building Initiative (WAAO-CBI) was a Foundation with the sole aim of educating and transforming the minds and hearts of the society, especially women and kids.

“It is a Foundation engaged in a capacity building especially among youths through Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) initiatives”, she said.

The projects were formally flagged off at the Fred Williams Memorial Primary School, Iju-Ishaga, Ifako-Ijaye, Lagos, on Thursday.

She also said the persistence of the under-representation of women in STEM fields in the country and across the continent led the Foundation to set up the WAAOCBI, “as we have to change the narratives to that of empowerment and inspiring in order to advance gender parity in STEM that results in more girls pursuing scientific and technological careers”.

“It is most important to catch them young, shape and sharpen their brains. We have initiated a timetable for 18 sets of kids, Robotics, Geoboard, Smart, Artificial Intelligence, Speed Mathematics, Technology and Engineering Kids.

”Today, we have introduced them to Solar Energy Stove and the classes continue as the students will be coming every Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.We want to use these children as community ambassadors through technology.

“It is also part of our advanced stage to teach them coding through which they can develop different apps for their communities. So, we’re turning Ifako-Ijaye to Tech Community”, Owolabi stated.

In her remarks, the representative of the Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Ajibola Rotimi described the initiative as a welcome development, interesting endeavour, and laudable, adding that the initiative would create opportunities for the young students, especially the girl-child, to develop an interest in science and build a career in related courses.

The Commissioner, who said STEM was important and would assist in problem-solving and exploratory learning that brings success in various tasks and challenges, pointed out: “Scientific background plays a very important role in a student’s life, how to learn, think, approach issues and helps them to stay focused. Innovation and technology are key as they bring transformation”.

”It is the bedrock of social-economic, integration and harmony. Be assured that plans are ongoing to transform the state to a smart city,” she further said.

Rotimi said any society or nation that wants to be reckoned with globally must be grounded on applications of STEM to growth and development.

Also speaking, the Education Secretary, Ifako-Ijaye Local Government Education Area, Mr. Olamilekan Jagbon, said Wuraola had exhibited a high level of commitment to the grassroots and in particular to community education, adding that Wuraola is passionate about the welfare and success of the children.

Jagbon said: ”She enrolled students in Ifako-Ijaye public schools in different academic competitions where they emerged winners and won awards.  She is significantly making impart in Ifako-Ijaye, both in education and welfare. We have over 1,000 students from this community gathered here today for this wonderful programme and I must say that we are happy and impressed”

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