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By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
Leading telecoms infrastructure provider, IHS Towers, has reiterated its commitment to skills development for children in the country, especially in the area of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM).
The firm sponsored the Edutech initiative to nurture talents and foster growth in the educational sector as well as provide 21st-century knowledge to equip students with future-ready skills for an innovative and tech-driven workforce.
The commitment was made during the just concluded “STEAM Fun Fest” conference and exhibition, held in Lagos, where IHS, in partnership with four edtech firms hosted more than 6,000 young people and led them from classroom experience to a world of reality in an interactive and fun-filled environment.
The event, themed “STEAM: From Classroom to the Real World,” gathered children from private and public schools, who were exposed to new and varied skills, ranging from robotics, coding, engineering, design, science experiments and drone technology, to complement their classroom learning.
The initiative, which is in its second year, was birthed through the collaboration of Jadesola Adedeji of STEM-MET, Uchenna Onwuamaegbu-Ugwu of Edufun Technik, Titi Adewusi of 9ijakids and Wale Ogunjobi of SabiTeach.
The event featured master classes and speakers, including Tarebi Alebiosu, founder, QShop Tech Inc.; Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho, CEO of Future Softwares; Hugo Obi, founder of Maliyo Games, Charles Emembolu, co-founder of Tech Quest Academy, and Anita Odiete, lead, customer success strategy, Flutterwave, among others.
Director, financial planning and analysis of IHS Nigeria, Zainab Olisamah, restated the importance of STEAM skills to national growth and development.
She said, “ We are honoured to be part of STEAM Funfest 2022 as a major sponsor of the initiative. STEAM education is about getting to know more and staying inquisitive.
“Today, these children have the opportunity of learning the practical aspect of STEAM unlike ten years back where it was all concepts and theories. We believe that STEAM education is essential towards the growth and development of the future generation and the country’s economy. STEAM is fun, learning more and becoming more.”
Also speaking, founder of SabiTeach and one of the organisers, Ogunjobi explained that the knowledge of STEAM would help to tackle unemployment challenge in the country.
According to him, “unemployment in the country presently stands at 33 percent, while it has also been predicted that 35 percent of Nigerians will be unemployed by 2030 due to lack of technical skills. The best way to fill this huge gap is by empowering young people with these technical and digital skills.”
In his remark, one of the participants, 12 year-old, Onitsha based Usonwanne Ugwu,said, “I prepared for this event for two months and today I will forever remember my experience, I participated in robotics, tie and dye, engineering, and drone programming. I am going home fully excited and fully equipped. “
