LAGOS STATE PARTNERS WITH US CONSULATE ON DRONE SOCCER CHALLENGE
In line with the current Lagos state government’s desire to develop tech shrewd students across the state. The Lagos state partners with the US consulate on a drone soccer challenge for students across the state to boost their skills and expose them to best international practices.
Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo the Commissioner for Education disclosed this at the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) UP Lagos Drone Training Initiative and Soccer Game Grand finale held at Government Senior College Hall Agege.
She further stated that the program is part of the Lagos State Government strategy to promote science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics education as it is the future of the tech economy, this she expressed by saying:” These various efforts by the government will greatly impact the learning of our students and spur their interest in technology”
Mrs. Adefisayo further encouraged the students to maximize the opportunities the program affords as it will influence their future positively, emphasizing that success comes only through hard work.
She also appreciated the US Consulate for partnering with the state government in engaging and training the student on Drone technology, stating that, it will nurture and unleash the student’s great potential, creativity, critical thinking among other 21st century skills.
She concluded by assuring the students that the state government will continue to provide an enabling for them in order to achieve their diverse aspirations.
Also speaking Ms. Adetola Salau, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Education disclosed that the program has exposed students to drone applications and their utilization, solar panel assembly, artificial intelligence, cell phone and laptop repair, weather balloon technology among other tech applications.
She also explained that over 500 students and 50 teachers have so far benefitted from the training program and it’s expected to cut across all schools in the state.
She further disclosed that the Drone soccer challenge is the first of its kind in Africa and the student response has been interesting.
Also speaking on the occasion was The Head of Public Affairs, US Consulate Mr. Stephen Ebelli who commended the state Government for the partnership and expressed the possibility of the long-term benefit to train the students to be tech engineers, this he expressed thus:” Our focus is on the younger generation, we had wonderful cooperation and collaboration with the Lagos State Government and this partnership will no doubt yield positive dividends in the nearest future”.
The winners of the Drone Soccer Challenge were also affirmed by Mr. Stephen Ebelli. They also stated that a STEAM Laboratory will be set up in their schools. Furthermore, the overall winner will be representing 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 beating Alimosho Senior Grammar School (Alisgram Team) and Abesan Senior High School (Alpha Team) to the second and third positions respectively.
The event had stakeholders and guests which includes the Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology, Hon. 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, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Science and technology, Mr. Saheed Balogun, alongside other notable elite.
