On April 6, 2016, the grand finale of the Girls in Engineering, Mathematics and Science (GEMS) competition was held at the prestigious Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, with Miss Adeyeye Ayomide from Ondo State, emerging the overall winner.
The competition, which was organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), saw Ayomide going home with N5.2 million, a trophy and a tablet while the first and second runners-up, Orjiugo Amarachi (Rivers State) and Francis Bassey Edidiong (Akwa Ibom State) went home with N5.1 million and N5 million, respectively.
However, the N5 million given to each of the three top winners will not go straight to them, but would be used by the NDDC to finance the university scholarships already awarded to them.
According to Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, the acting managing director of the NDDC, the 33 girls who participated in the grand finale were selected from an elimination process that began with 2,880 girls from the nine states in the Niger Delta region. The process progressed to the state finals where 11 girls qualified from each state, leading to the regional finales, where another 11 girls emerged.
Semenitari said, “These finalists were selected from a rigorous elimination process that began with 2880 girls from the nine NDDC mandate states. From this first screening test 1,110 girls were selected. From the 1,110 girls, 270 were selected at 30 girls per state. They progressed to the state finals, where 11 girls qualified from each state, leading to the regional finals, where 11 girls were selected from each of the three regions.
“The 33 finalists, all from SSS1 and SSS2, are beginning to see the practicality of science, even at that young age, and it becomes a foundation upon which they and other children of the Niger Delta, as well as the schools in the region, will build our collective future.
“That is why, as part of this programme, the school that produces the first prize winner will get a chemistry laboratory, while the second and third schools will get a physics and biology laboratory, respectively. We are also going to reward the girls with prizes, such as laptops.”
Speaking at the grand finale ceremony, the minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, applauded the NDDC for being in the forefront of the promotion of girl-child in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria in general.
Onu said, “I was reliably informed that GEMS was borne out of the desire to give the girl-child in Niger Delta region in particular and Nigeria at large a sense of pride, dignity and opportunity to excel in Engineering, Mathematics and Science studies which before now, had been dominated by their male counterparts.
“I, therefore, feel proud that NDDC is promoting the place of the girl-child in the society, and the managing director is obviously passionate about making sure that young girls do well in the society. I am excited because studies have shown that under-representation of girls and women in science, technology, engineering, and innovation are affected not by their genetic make-up but by factors external to their ability, interest and technical skills.”
The minister, who was represented by the Director, Gender Desk, in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr. Nnenna Okoronkwo, stated that the Niger Delta region is highly endowed with enormous human capital and natural resources and so very strategic to the socio-economic development of the nation.
He said, “The Niger Delta region is highly endowed with enormous human capital and natural resources and so, very strategic to the socio-economic development of the nation. I am indeed proud of the achievement of all the girls and I implore them to see this exercise beyond a mere competition and the awards inherent. Indeed, project exhibition is one of the best learning experiences a student can undertake, because it encourages critical thinking in solving practical and challenging problems.
“Furthermore, it showcases students’ creativity, broadens their horizon, helps in acquisition of relevant skills in goal setting, self-efficiency, planning as well as oral communications and public speaking. You toiled day and night to make it to this final stage and your efforts are worthy of commendation. I encourage you to put up more innovative ideas in order to move the country forward. May I remind you that the Asian Tigers started like you a couple of years ago.”
The minister stated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, has placed high premium on science, technology and innovation, in line with the Technology Facilitation Mechanism launched by the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development.
He said, “Permit me to inform you that the present administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has placed a high premium on Science, Technology and Innovation. The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology early this year facilitated the meeting of National Research and Innovation Council, which Mr. President himself is the chairman.
“The Technology Facilitation Mechanism launched at the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development propagates access to affordable technologies as a key to the implementation of sustainable development goals. Therefore, Nigeria cannot be left behind. The ministry has her doors wide open to innovators and inventors for collaboration to enable the diversification of our economy in pursuance of an export oriented nation rather than the consuming nation we currently are.”
Earlier in her welcome remarks, acting managing director of the NDDC, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, called on well-meaning organisations across the Niger Delta region to partner with the commission on the GEM programme, saying the programme is for the good of the region.
Semenitari said, “In initiating GEMS, we are igniting a spark within these young, remarkable women, as well as in society, which we expect to build into a fire that will lead to great things. It is good for our society, and good for the Niger Delta region. It is good for our collective future.
“Consequently, we call on other well-meaning organisations across the Niger Delta, especially oil and gas companies, to partner with us on the GEMS programme, so that it becomes a worthy and engaging incubator for breeding young ladies who will grow up to conquer the world in various science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-related careers.
“Although some of the girls have been picked as finalists, we regard all the girls who participated in GEMS at different stages as pioneers of an emerging revolution. They all are beacons for many more girls who will participate in future editions of GEMS.”
She stated that the GEMS programme was borne out of the desire and commitment of the NDDC to bridge the gaps that exist in gender related issues encountered by the commission in its effort to facilitate the development of the Niger Delta region, pointing out that the mission of the programme is to promote innovative, research and standard-based practices that will encourage students with interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The NDDC boss said, “GEMS is a programme borne out of our desire, as well as our social commitment and responsibility, to bridge the gaps that exist in gender related issues we encounter in our earnest effort to facilitate the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region. Of great importance is the science and technology areas, which are very vital in ensuring that our people begin to play a more definitive role in the oil and gas sector, which predominate activities in the Niger Delta.
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