Relevant stakeholders have converged in Ekiti state to deliberate how a global network of scientifically and technologically literate society could be built, using children and youths as agents of change.
They also planned to develop children on how to acquire and put into use scientific skills for robust transformation.
These form parts of the submission presented by the dons at the 12th international conference organized by an association under the aegis of Children-in-Science and Technology (CIST)
The three-day- conference came up between Wednesday,21st – Friday23rd , Sept. 2022,at the Ekiti state university,EKSU, in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state capital.
The Director of CIST Prof. Ibiyinka Ogunlade of Chemistry Department ,EKSU said the programme has had tremendous impact on numerous children in shaping their future and influencing their perspectives about life.
“ I am happy to say that Children-in-science and Technology has been a tremendous blessing in multidimensional ways not only on the children and the youths who are our target but parents and caregivers as well”.
Ogunlade added that the organization has been a structured one with the total support of members of Board of Trustees who are distinguished personalities in various and across the globe.
No fewer than twenty schools ,private primary and secondary that participated at the conference made public presentations in form of music, cultural dance,play and talks. The event also witnessed awards and exhibition.
In her presentation,An EKSU graduate of medicine, Oluwatomisin Ajayi described social violence as “any kind of violence committed by an individual that has social impact”,
she urged victims of rape and social vices to break the barrier of silence and speak up when necessary.
The Key note speaker, Prof.Olukoya Ogen who is the Director of Research and innovation management ,Osun state University, Osogbo spoke on the theme of the conference-STEAMi: Pathways to sustainable National Development.
Declaring the conference open, the EKSU Vice Chancellor VC , Prof. Edward Olanipekun appreciated the CIST for choosing the University as the venue for this year’s conference. He added that the programme “would enhance teaching and learning for the improvement of our present and future leaders “ .
The VC applauded the organizers for “recognizing the strategic importance of laying a solid foundation for our children in the areas of STEAMi for national development”.
Chairman of the. Conference: Prof Israel Owolabi, of Afe Babalola University ABUAD,Ado-Ekiti however warned against developing science and technology at the expense of arts saying “ without art, there cant be world, those who believe we need to promote science above art missed it,innovation of science ,technology and Arts matters’ , urging on renewable energy.
The don tasked children and youths to be “eye-openers “and “be solution providers to problems in the society”.
The conference was well attended by renowned educationists among whom were former EKSU acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olubunmi Ajayi, Vice chancellor , Bamidele Olumilua University of Science and Technology (BOUST) Ikere Ekiti, Prof.Olufemi Adeoluwa, CIST National President ,Prince A. Ayannuga.