NDDC Boosts Education, Bridges Gender Gap In STEM With Girl Child Competition

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is actively investing in education and addressing the gender disparity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields by equipping young girls with the skills needed to succeed in the 21st century.

Accordibg to Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director, Corporate Affairs, NDDC, this commitment was underscored during the closing ceremony of the Girl Child STEM competition held in Port Harcourt.

NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, in a statement read by the NDDC Director of Education, Dr. Awele Chukwudifu, emphasized the importance of educating and empowering the girl child, stating the Commission’s dedication to both infrastructural and human capital development.

“This STEM competition has brought enormous benefits to the girl child by equipping them with the technological skills essential for the future,” the Managing Director stated.

“We appreciate the NDDC Board and Management for their continued support in advancing education in the region.”

Professor Continue Eletu, representing the Director of the Rivers State Office, affirmed that the competition aligns with the NDDC’s policy priorities in advancing human capital development.

He highlighted the Dr. Ogbuku-led administration’s commitment to empowering the Niger Delta girl child through opportunities to excel in STEM fields.

“This initiative has given students a platform to excel in Mathematics, Engineering, and Science, which are fundamental for innovation and societal growth,”

Professor Eletu said, reiterating the Commission’s commitment to aligning its policies with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“When you train a girl, you train a nation. By investing in the girl child, we are shaping the future of our society.”

The Lead Consultant, Chief Godson Ideozu, described the event as the culmination of a rigorous and competitive selection process across the nine Niger Delta states.

He noted that the next phase will involve mentorship to sustain the participants’ interest in STEM fields.

“This programme identifies and nurtures young talent from an early stage. Just like the NDDC’s Postgraduate Foreign Scholarship Programme, this initiative is designed to build human capacity in various cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computer Science,” Chief Ideozu explained.

The highlight of the event was the awards presentation to the top-performing students. Miss Jegede Osamagbe emerged as the overall winner of the competition.

Overwhelmed with joy, Miss Osamagbe expressed her gratitude to the NDDC for the opportunity. “I thank the NDDC for providing girls with the opportunity to showcase their talents and compete at this level,” she said. “To every young girl out there, remember if you can imagine it, you can achieve it.”

This initiative signifies the NDDC’s unwavering commitment to fostering scientific and technological advancement among young girls in the Niger Delta region, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and prosperous future for the nation.