FCTA committed to improving access to quality education for vulnerable children – Benjamins-Laniyi

Stories By Stanley Onyekwere

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering inclusive education for all particularly the less privileged  in the territory.

To this end, the FCTA through its Women Affairs Secretariat (WAS) in collaboration with The Peace Institute put together the Science, Technology, Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Camp for vulnerable children, especially orphans in the FCT, to ensure that they are not left behind in accessing quality education and entrepreneurial skills.

Making this point, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi said that the FCT Administration headed by the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, and Minister Of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud is very passionate about inclusion in the system.

Benjamins-Laniyi, in statement from the Deputy Director/ Head, Public Relations Department, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Josie Mudasiru, and made available to PeoplesDaily, yesterday, in Abuja, explained that the Peace Institute is founded by Professor Hauwa Ibrahim of University of Rome.

The  Camp, an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering Arts and Mathematics has entered its gini on the 5th of August,2024.

She added that the STEAM Camp which kicked off last week at The Abuja Children’s Home, Karu, which entered its second week at the LEA Primary School, Kagini, will next week move to Gwako, in Gwagwalada Area Council, and Karonmajiji in Abuja Municipal Area  Council (AMAC).

On her part, Professor Hauwa Ibrahim said the STEAM Camp idea was given birth to when she was invited by the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan to train the Chibok Girls.

Ibrahim noted that to her, the alternative to violence is to instill in people a superior mindset, starting with children because “we catch them young, we might be able to get it right”.

She added that the Peace Institute was constituted in 2016 with 40 percent of the Board members from Nigeria, while the remaining 60 percent are from all over the world.

Speaking further, Prof. Ibrahim said that the STEAM Camp project is just one out of many other projects of the Peace Institute.

She however, noted that it is the major one, which has brought foreign students into Nigeria in the last five years.

A” We have been in five  states in Nigeria, twice in Nigeria. This year, we were invited by the FCT Women Affairs Secretary, Honourable Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, and I am here with five students; four from University Of Rome where I teach, while one is from Penn University in the United States of America.

“The five foreign Students are Anna who teaches Science, Malthide who teaches Technology, and David, a Columbian, who teaches engineering. Others are Angelica,an Italian Student who teaches Arts and Silvio, a Brazilian who takes the Children in Mathematics.

“These foreign students are volunteers who heard about the STEAM Camp Project from Professor Hauwa Ibrahim and decided to spend their money, resources and summer holiday to give back to the less privileged in the society”, she added.

Not left out, the Permanent Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Alhaji Adetoyi Kolawole, who has been visiting the Camp to ensure effective coordination, said based on the feedback from the participants, it was a wonderful programme that is already having positive impact on the children.

He therefore appreciated the FCT Administration for providing a conducive environment for learning, and also all the staff and volunteers working to ensure a smooth Camp.

The statement read in parts: “The STEAM Camp Project in LEA will be rounding up on tomorrow Friday, August 9th,2024 with presentation of certificates to participants.

“The STEAM Camp Project will move to Gwako, in Gwagwalada Area Council, next Week and Karonmajiji in Abuja Municipal Area  Council (AMAC).”