As part of efforts to encourage Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) among secondary students, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has donated N500,000 to the robotics team of Vivian Fowler Memorial College for girls.
According to the firm, the donation stemmed from the need to appreciate and recognise the brilliance and hard work of the school’s robotic team.
IKEDC Head of Communications, Felix Ofulue, said, “We are a science-oriented firm that deals with electrical engineering which makes us find it important to build a pipeline for organisations and schools in order to support and enhance the technology activities and vision of schools.”
He added, “On our part, we identify platforms whereby we can empower youths. We identify platforms whereby we can support primary and secondary education, particularly in regards to science and technology activities.”
Ofulue explained that IKEDC planned to expand its interests to tertiary institutions and sponsor students in science and technology.
In addition, the electricity distribution firm disclosed that part of its corporate social responsibility includes medical outreach to underserved communities.
The college’s administrator, Olufunke Fowler-Amber, reacting to the IKEDC’s gesture, said, “We have a young robotics team that has graduated to the level whereby they can compete internationally. We were honoured by Ikeja Electricity Distribution company with the donation
“The donation to the robotics team would help enhance their activities and ensure we can procure more sophisticated equipment for the laboratory, as there is the need to purchase such equipment if we are to continue competing globally.”
The captain of the robotics team, Adeyimika Adebayo, also lauded IKEDC’s contribution to technology development.
“This donation makes us very happy because it shows that there are people that believe as a team we can go ahead to achieve our set goals,” stated Adebayo. “Thus, everyone should expect to see Vivian Fowler’s robotic team all over the place as we would be participating in several competitions locally and internationally.”
