By ADEJOKE ADELEYE
The United States Government is committed to supporting programmes that promote STEM education and provide students with opportunities to contribute to creating sustainable and inclusive economic prosperity in Nigeria.
On Saturday, the U.S. Consulate General, in collaboration with the Global Air Drone Academy and the Lagos State Ministry of Education, hosted Africa’s first drone soccer competition in Lagos.
Eight girl-led teams selected from 71 student teams from public high schools across Agege, Alimosho and Ifako Ijaiye communities of Lagos Education District 1 participated in the keenly contested competition.
The Pace Setters Team from Ijaiye Housing Estate Senior Grammar School emerged as the winner of the tournament. Alisgrams Team from Alimosho Senior Grammar School and Alpha Team from Abesan Senior High School took second and third place positions respectively. The three best performing teams won a prize of a $1,500 STEM lab each for their respective schools.
Delivering remarks at the grand finale of the tournament, U.S. Consulate Public Affairs Officer, Stephen Ibelli, highlighted the importance of STEM education to Nigeria’s future prosperity and economic competitiveness.
He explained that the tournament was designed to provide the students with quality technological learning opportunities and stimulate their interest in math and science, as well as careers in the STEM fields.
“We are so proud to partner with the Lagos State Ministry of Education and the Global Air Drone Academy to not only bring practical, hands-on STEM education to the Lagos school district but also to offer the opportunity for representing schools to show off their STEM skills in drone soccer, the world’s newest sport,” Ibelli said.
Co-founder of the U.S.-headquartered Global Air Drone Academy, Eno Umoh, explained that one of the key objectives of the programme was to engage underserved communities, especially young girls, about the impact they could have in STEM fields.
“We are beyond excited to be pioneering the newest emerging e-sport in Africa. Drones are an innovative and engaging tool that can be used to inspire students to pursue education and careers in STEM,” Umoh added.
The drone soccer competition was a follow-up initiative to a series of drone technology and STEM training for 500 students as well as a capacity building workshop for 50 teachers on effective approaches to teaching STEM subjects, which were held in 2021 in Lagos Education District 1.
In a similar vein, Senior Special Adviser of Education to the Lagos State Governor, Adetola Salawu, also thumbed up the organisers for inspiring student across the state.
In her words: “ This programme is capable of promoting Lagos based students on the use of solar cell, wider balloons, cell phones and laptop repair.
“We’re very glad to host this and I’m sure all lucky students has also learnt one or two things capable of promoting their lifestyle.
“We’ll keep engaging the organisers because activities like this will help promote our educational system, once again, I say a very big congratulation to all participant,” she stated.
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