Obaseki Lauds Women for Breaking New Grounds, Urges ICT-based Solutions

  • Edo govt to construct 25 new roads

Abimbola Akosile

Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has celebrated the innovative spirit of women researchers who have broken new grounds in science and technology, commending them for braving the many cultural hurdles to stamp their names in history.

Obaseki said this on the occasion of the commemoration of the 2018 International Day for Women and Girls in Science marked every February 11 by the United Nations.
The governor said breakthroughs by women researchers in recent years across the globe have shown that when spaces are open for everyone to thrive, much can be achieved to advance the cause of mankind.

According to him, “There has been an upsurge of women scientists who are breaking new grounds in various scientific fields. I believe this reality is a call on us here in Edo State and Nigeria to continue to expand the space for women to get into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Already, we are focusing on basic and technical education to ensure that our children, including boys and girls get a head-start to explore carriers in science and technology without discrimination.

“However, we need to do more and encourage our female children to strive to be the best in whatever they aspire to be, especially in science disciplines,” he said.
He noted that this year’s theme for the event, ‘Equality and Parity for Peace and Development’ emphasises the need to break down stereotypes and open the space for women to explore interest in STEM fields.

According to him, “This challenge is more pertinent in the age of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The use of mobile phones and the internet has made it easy for people to access and process information that can enable them break barriers.
“So, we encourage our women and girls to deploy ICTs to solve societal problems and in doing so, break stereotypes cast in STEM disciplines. There are many resources on the Internet to learn from, many mentors to channel and many mountains to climb if they are committed and willing to explore the sciences”, he added.

The world body says a significant gender gap has persisted throughout the years at all levels of STEM disciplines all over the world, noting that even though women have made tremendous progress towards increasing their participation in higher education, they are still under-represented in these fields.
According to the UN, the General Assembly adopted a resolution to establish an annual International Day on 22 December, 2015, “to recognise the critical role women and girls play in science and technology communities”.

In welcoming the efforts of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the UN Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and other relevant organisations that support and promote the access of women and girls and their participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, training and research activities at all levels decided to proclaim February 11 of each year the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has earmarked 25 new roads for construction across the state in the coming weeks, as it intensifies efforts to deliver projects that will transform the socio-economic landscape of the state.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie Esq., disclosed this during a chat with journalists, in Benin City, Edo State.

He said, “The state government led by Godwin Obaseki will deliver on its mandate to transform infrastructure across the state. In the coming weeks, 25 new roads have been earmarked for construction by the state government.”
He added that the Obaseki-led administration has provided leadership capable of transforming the state into an economic hub.

“The governor knows how to pull resources for the benefit of a great majority of Edo people. As an investment banker, he is someone who knows how to manage resources to drive socio-economic growth through infrastructural development.”

On security in the state, the SSG said the state government takes security of lives and property across the state seriously, “which accounts for why it is considered as the safest in the South-South region.
“The increasing number of investors visiting the state is a pointer to the fact that the state has the best security arrangement in the region. Embassies have security reports from every part of the country for foreign investors. That they indicate interest to do business in Edo shows that our security report is favourable for investors.”

He added that the state government will continue to improve on the security architecture and ensure investors get benefit from siting their companies in the state.

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