From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum has canvassed for support to girls and women to study engineering courses in tertiary schools.
Zulum in his address at the investiture of the new leadership of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Maiduguri Chapter and flag off of scholarship awards to best science female students in Maiduguri weekend, said more women in engineering field will improve the nation’s productivity and economy.
“The role of women in the development of any society is crucial. I urge us to support more girl and women to go into the field of engineering by taking engineering courses in our institutions,” Zulum told government officials, members of the academic communities and parents at the occasion.
He said he decided to attend the event being an engineer and to demonstrate his support for women who ventured into engineering field.
He said he also aimed at encouraging parents, girls and young one to see a brighter future in male-dominated engineering profession.
The governor announced scholarship to any female citizen in the state that scored above 200 in the 2025 Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
He assured that the state government will support APWEN especially on project regarding girl-child education. He announced reward of N2 million to each of the teachers of the pupils and students for the best science students.
Guest Speaker at the event and wife of the governor, Dr Habiba Zulum, in her paper titled The Role of Mentorship in Encouraging Girls to pursue engineering careers in Nigeria called on young people to break the stereotype regarding women in engineering.
Outgoing chairperson of the association, Hajiya Kori Shettima explained that APWEN is a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) created to encourage more women in engineering careers.
Pic: Women engineers and students at the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) at the scholarship award event in Maiduguri weekend