1,200 Gather for 2024 Kwara STEM Funfest on Innovation and Sustainability

1,200 Gather for 2024 Kwara STEM Funfest on Innovation and Sustainability
Prize presentation ceremony during the Kwara STEM Funfest by WDSFAI

More than 1,200 students, teachers, and exhibitors from various parts of Kwara State gathered at the Banquet Hall in Ilorin on Sunday for the 2024 Kwara STEM Funfest.

The event was organized by Webfala Digital Skills for All Initiative (WDSFAI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting STEM education and digital literacy in Nigeria.

In her opening speech, WDSFAI’s Executive Director, Nafisat Bakare, reaffirmed her organization’s commitment to equipping the next generation with the essential skills and tools needed to excel in an increasingly technology-driven world.

According to Bakare, the Kwara STEM Funfest, which is an annual event, aims to inspire young people’s interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), nurture their talents, and fuel their creativity.

The festival seeks to empower students with the confidence to dream big while helping them discover their potential in STEM fields.

This year’s theme, “Innovate Green: STEM Paths to a Sustainable World”*, reflected WDSFAI’s focus not only on technological advancement but also on sustainability and environmental consciousness.

Bakare explained that the choice of this theme underscored the critical need for innovative solutions to global challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation.

She stressed that STEM plays a key role in addressing these issues, and that events like the STEM Funfest could inspire young minds to recognize how their future work in STEM could contribute to creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly world.

“As we face global challenges like climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation, the role of STEM in developing innovative, sustainable solutions is more important than ever. Through this event, we hope to show young minds the immense power STEM holds in shaping a better, more sustainable future,” Bakare said during her address.

Bakare also used the opportunity to appeal to both the federal and state governments to increase their investment in STEM education and digital skills training for Nigerian youth.

She emphasized that equipping young people with these essential skills is critical to addressing the country’s growing unemployment and poverty challenges.

Furthermore, she noted that investing in the youth through STEM education would have a long-lasting impact on shaping Nigeria’s future workforce and entrepreneurial landscape.

The keynote address at the event was delivered by Prof. Abiodun Musa Aibinu, Vice-Chancellor of Summit University, Offa.

Speaking on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in building a sustainable world, Prof. Aibinu highlighted the various applications of AI in sectors such as agriculture, energy management, environmental conservation, and healthcare.

He emphasized that AI has the potential to drive sustainable development across these sectors, urging governments and policymakers to recognize and leverage its transformative potential for Nigeria’s future.

Prof. Aibinu, who was represented at the event by Dr. Abdulwaheed Musa, a lecturer at Kwara State University (KWASU), called on the government to create policies that encourage the adoption of AI technologies to help Nigeria sustainably achieve its development goals.

The 2024 Kwara STEM Funfest featured an exciting array of activities, including hands-on workshops, panel discussions, exhibitions, and a debate competition among secondary school students.

Participants were exposed to various STEM fields, with a particular focus on how these disciplines could contribute to building a more sustainable world.

One of the major highlights of the event was the debate competition, where talented students from various schools competed.

Eshiet Esther Samuel from Mollys School, Ilorin, emerged as the overall winner, securing a cash prize of N150,000.

The first runner-up, Ojukurolola Ooreofe from Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Model College, Ilorin, received N100,000, while the second runner-up, Ahmed Nana-Aisha from Flora Schools, Ilorin, was awarded N50,000.

In addition to the cash prizes, all three winners were presented with new laptops, which were provided by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

The Kwara STEM Funfest was a vibrant celebration of young talent, creativity, and the potential of STEM education in shaping a better and more sustainable future for Nigeria.

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