Women scientists in Nigeria have called on government at all levels, corporate bodies, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), among others to fund researches for women and provide scholarships for vulnerable and indigent girls.
The Coordinator, Organization for Women In Science for the Developing World (OWSD), Umudike branch, Abia state, Dr. Mabel Ifeoma Onwuka, who disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Abia State Ministry of Transport in Umuahia, in an event to mark 2022 International Day for Women /Girls in Science, said that the body wants to reach out to vulnerable girls, mentor and encourage them to stand tall, compete favourably and excel in the study of science with their male counterparts.
The Associate Professor of Soil Science, decried the low number of girls/women in the study of sciences, appealed to Ministry of Transport Abia state for partnership in the area of teaching materials/aids in order to reach out to vulnerable ones in the society.
Fielding questions from newsmen, Dr. Onwuka revealed that OWSD Umudike branch, which is made up of two institutions viz; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) and National Roots Crops Research Institutes (NRCRI) Umudike, Abia state with over 200 members are commited towards repositioning the girl child and women alike in the area of sciences, among others.
In her response, the Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Transport, Mrs. Clara Ijeoma Okere , commended the group for reaching out to the girl child, while describing them as the most vulnerable in the society.
Okere further described the girl child as the future of the nation, adding that the OWSD efforts towards helping the girl child is apt, with rape and its related issues now on the increase.
The Permanent Secretary pledged continuous partnership with the group in reaching out to the girl child in the society.
In a related development, the Principal, Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) Umuahia, Mrs. Idika Kalu Ngozi Anthonia has also commended OWSD for championing the course of women and the girl child, insisting that training a girl child is cardinal to sustainable nation building.
A cross-section of staff and students of FGGC Umuahia and executives of OWSD, Umudike branch during the2022 International Day for Women /Girls in Science recently.
Represented by the Vice Principal Academics, Mrs. Nwankwo Ngozi Jessica, maintained that she will continue to partner with OWSD and other relevant bodies in the society to ensure the girl child in Nigeria and beyond lives a meaningful life.
In her vote of thanks, the Assistant Coordinator, OWSD Umudike Chapter, Prof. Judith thanked the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and the management of FGGC Umuahia for their investments in Human Capital Development, promising that the group will stop at nothing to ensure genuine development of women and the girl child, especially in sciences.
Highlights of the event were; presentation of drama, quiz, debate by FGGC students, while customized books were presented to school management to aid teaching and learning in the school by OWSD executives.
