Winners emerge in APWEN’s students’ scholarship competition

Ten pupils from Edo State, who are desirous of studying engineering are to be awarded scholarship through the ‘Invent it, Build it’ programme.

The programme sponsored by the Association of Professional Women Engineers (APWEN) in partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is aimed at igniting passion for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in young girls and showcase the socio-economic value and application of engineering in everyday life.
 
The programme is also inspired by the successful launch of the maiden edition in Misau, Bauchi State. The pupils selected from ten primary schools in Benin City are Michelle Ugwu, Okeh Amrerre, Peace Imonimo, Goddy Holiness, Ojo Gift, Miracle Olise, Owhe Loveth Gladys, Amaka Promise, Olusuwe Peace and Aigbagbese Dorcas.

She said: “Experiments were performed by the pupils with guidance by APWEN members along with an interactive/sensitization session for parents, guardians and teachers to inspire positive attitude and support for females in the pursuit of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Under the programme, pupils from selected primary schools will be part of a period of activities and experiments; a foundation laying ceremony will be done for a modern Science and Technology laboratory for Ewuare primary school (our host school), in honor of His Royal majesty, the Oba of Benin.

“Ewuare is the only school in Benin Kingdom that is bearing the name of His Royal Majesty as well as the school attended by one of our engineering icon’s, Valerie Ifueko Agberegba.
 
According to her, a science and technology laboratory will be named after the Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru.

This she explained would be constructed by the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) and our partners and will be donated to Ewuare primary school, Benin City.

“Delivery period for the laboratory project is six months. Scholarships will be awarded to ten pupils of Benin origin who are desirous of studying engineering from primary to university level.”

“We use this medium to really appreciate Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for adopting the Invent It, Build It programme as NNPC’s nationwide corporate social responsibility (CSR) project.

This commitment by NNPC will make it possible for the project to be replicated in all the six geopolitical zones of the country”, she stated.
 
Agubata said APWEN is confident that early contact with the target group will indeed spark off a desire and an ambition of the girl child to study the sciences and ultimately pursue engineering as a profession.