… Organise Africa’s first Drone Soccer Competition in Schools
The Lagos State Government, in its bid to develop tech-savvy students, boost their skills and expose them to best international practices, has partnered with the US Consulate on tech training for students across the State.
The Honourable Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, disclosed this at the STEAM UP Lagos Drone Training Initiative and Football game Grand finale held at Government Senior College Hall, Agege.
Mrs. Adefisayo stated that the programme is part of the Lagos State Government’s strategy for promoting STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education as it is the future of tech economy, saying “These efforts by the government will greatly impact the learning of our students and spur their interest in technology”.
She encouraged the students to maximise the opportunities inherent in the programme as it will influence their future positively, emphasising that success in life comes only through hard work.
The Commissioner also appreciated the US Consulate for partnering with the government in engaging the students and training them on drone technology, noting that this will nurture and unleash the students’ potential, arouse their creativity, critical thinking, teamwork spirit, communication and other 21st Century skills.
She assured the students that Lagos State Government will continue to provide an enabling environment for them to achieve all their desired aspirations.
Earlier in her remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Education, Ms. Adetola Salau, said the programme has exposed students to drone applications and their uses, solar panel assembly, weather balloon technology, cell phone and laptop repair, artificial intelligence and video game design among other tech applications.
She explained further that over 500 students and 50 teachers have benefitted so far from the training as the programme will continue to run across all schools within the various education districts, informing that the drone soccer challenge is the first of its kind in Africa and the response of the students has been encouraging.
The Head of Public Affairs, US Consulate, Mr. Stephen Ibelli, commended the State Government for the partnership and expressed the possibility of long-term training benefits for the students to become tech engineers.
“Our focus is on the young generation, we had a wonderful cooperation and collaboration with the Lagos State Government and this partnership will no doubt yield positive dividends in the nearest future”, he said.
Ibelli affirmed that the winners of the Drone Soccer Challenge will have a STEAM Laboratory set up in their schools and the overall winner will represent the Nation on the global stage in the United States of America.
At the end of the Drone Soccer Competition, Ijaiye Housing Senior Grammar School (Pace Setter Team) emerged as champion defeating Alimosho Senior Grammar School (Alisgram Team) and Abesan Senior High School (Alpha Team) to the second and third positions respectively.
Stakeholders and guests present at the event include the Chairman, Lagos House of Assembly Committee on Science and Technology, Mr. Lanre Afinni; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Abayomi Abolaji; Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District 1, Mrs. Titilayo Solarin; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Development Planning and Partnerships, Miss. Ayisat Agbaje and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Science and Technology, Mr. Saheed Balogun, among other dignitaries.