User Rating: 0 / 5
By Ogadinma Christon-Quao
The Founder of AUN, Atiku Adubakar and other Dignitaries showing their support to the competitors.
The Office of Institutional research and effectiveness at the America University of Nigeria (AUN), in Yola, Adamawa State, on Thursday organized a technology based competition for students in the state.
Over 280 students from 20 schools in Yola gathered at the university’s cafeteria, to participate in the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Wizkid competition. STEM project is aimed at educating youths in the community, inspiring youths to pursue careers in Science, Technology and Engineering and creating a forum for students to interact and share insights.
In his remark, the AUN STEM-WIZKID project director, Dr. Fidelis Ndeh-Che encouraged the competitors to work hard in making Nigeria a better country “You are the future technologists and mathematicians, that would transform the Nigerian economy , you are moving from consumers to manufactures and this can only be achieved by hard work” He said.
The Founder of AUN, Atiku Abubakar in company of some dignitaries in the country paid a visit to the competitors to show his support and also encouraged students to keep up the good work.
In an exclusive interview, Dr. Ndeh-Che spoke extensively on the benefits of the STEM program to youth in the Northeast region.
“This region is currently recovering from the insurgency caused by Boko Haram. Most member of this terror sect are youths. When people feel that there is no hope they resolve to any means in order to survive.” Dr. Ndeh-Che said.
With programs like STEM Wizkid, he said, the youth can consider more resourceful career paths to succeed. They can thus make Nigeria a better country while also helping to build peace.
Participants at the 2016 STEM Wizkid competition
Dr. Ndeh-Che further acknowledged the efforts of the mentors who are students of AUN for their hard work. He urged the students to endeavor to interact with the local communities.
“Most students don’t know the problem of education. Interacting with the local community gives the students insight, and helps them learn to be good role models”. Dr. Ndeh-Che said
The event ended in a joyful note as three school emerged winners. El-shadai Model school Yola, came first in both science and mathematics category, Upper Benue Staff School Yola emerged as winners in Technology and finally Sanda Girls Yola won the Engineering category. However this did not stop the camaraderie and excitement among the competitors.
Miss Alexander Mbasty a student of Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Karewa, also a member of the STEM-WIZKID club, expressed her delight and spoke on the importance of the program to the youth in the community.
“I feel very excited to participate in the STEM-WIZKID program. Although someone took my place- I am still very happy, and I pray for everyone to perform well. This program would be beneficial to the future generation, because it creates an opportunity for us to gain skill and Knowledge in computer, science and technology.
“I thank AUN for organizing a program like this and I pray programs like this should continue, as it has a good impact on the society” she said.
