NNPC says girls should study science, tech

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, has called on teachers and parents to encourage girls to study science, technology and engineering in schools.

Dr. Baru made the call at the weekend during the flag-off of “Invent It, Build It” Programme, a flagship project of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), in Misau, Bauchi State.

A statement signed by the spokesman of the NNPC, Ndu Ughamadu, said the GMD described engineers as the gears of progress all over the world, stressing that the engineering profession held the key to Nigeria’s technological advancement and economic prosperity.

The GMD, who expressed delight at the kick-off of the project in his alma mater, Central Primary School, Misau, Bauchi State, noted that no nation had ever achieved any meaningful development without the key subjects of Science, Technology (SET).

The “Invent It, Build It” programme by APWEN is to inspire the girl-child (aged 8-10 in the upper primary school) to take up the sciences with a view to pursuing a career in engineering.

“The study of science, technology and engineering requires an eye for details, diligence and multi-tasking ability for which women and, by extension girls, are well known,” Baru said.

Speaking earlier, APWEN president, Engr. (Mrs.) Felicia Nnenna Agubata, noted that the programme was aimed at igniting passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics among young girls in the country.

Agubata, who announced APWEN’s scholarship for 10 girls from Misau community from primary school up to university level, also revealed plans to build and equip a model science laboratory for children at the Central Primary School, Misau, to the jubilation of the students. Engineering and