Women group, Organization of Women in Science for Developing World (OWSD) Lagos Branch, during the grand finale of its debate contest with experts has stressed the need to encourage more girls and young women to study science courses for the nation to be able to fully actualize her potentials.
The debate contest was part of the activities to mark the International Year for Women and Girls in Science and had its theme as: “Investment in women and girls in science for green growth: A necessity for Nigeria.”
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola said in a statement “There is a need to have more women driving the science and heeding the conversion to green energy. The theme is very apt especially in a country that is slowly recognizing that you cannot fly with one of your wings.
The perspective of creativity and pragmatism that women bring to bear in science cannot be ignored by a country that is interested in developing rapidly and taking a significant pace amongst the committee of nations in the 21st century.”
Also, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Dr Kehinde Kemabonta, urged the government and other stakeholders in science to promote science by providing up-to-date equipment to encourage the girl child’s dream of becoming a scientist.
“We find out that anytime we travel out of the country and we are doing some work, we do far better than we do here in Nigeria because they have all the equipment; so, we should bring all the equipment here to encourage women. I want us as a nation to promote science and to encourage the girls in science.