Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has reaffirmed his government’s dedication to fostering advancements in the education sector. Recognizing the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in propelling industrialization and sustainable socioeconomic development, the governor emphasized the need for a conducive environment and the development of infrastructure to support STEM education.
Governor Obaseki made this commitment while commemorating the 2023 World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, an event organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and its partner agencies. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Engineering innovation for a more resilient world.”
Underlining the significant investments made by his administration in the education sector, particularly in STEM education, Governor Obaseki emphasized the importance of equipping young individuals in the state with the necessary knowledge and skills to become leaders in the 21st-century economy.
Acknowledging the occasion’s global significance, Governor Obaseki took the opportunity to celebrate engineers worldwide, with a special mention of female engineers who have distinguished themselves in the field by providing innovative solutions to global challenges.
He said, “As we commemorate this year’s World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, we celebrate the remarkable impact of engineering on our world and the role it plays in building a sustainable future. We also salute engineers all over the globe who are contributing to the advancement of society through their innovative work.”
Obaseki added, “As a government, we recognize that the development of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is critical to our economic growth and competitiveness as a state, and are committed to sustaining investment in this regard, guaranteeing the enabling environment and infrastructure in our drive for industrial and economic development in Edo State.
“Through ongoing reforms in our education sector which prioritizes technical education, we are nurturing a new crop of innovators and problem solvers and equipping our young people with the knowledge and skills they need to be leaders in the 21st-century economy. In Edo, we are not just producing more engineers, but are creating a workforce that is equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing world.”
According to the Director-General of UNESCO, Ms. Audrey Azoulay, “Engineers, men and women, are constantly innovating to meet the challenges of our world. To build more inclusive growth, develop renewable energies, face climate change, and guarantee a fairer and more sustainable world, we need more than ever this scientific creativity at the service of all. That is what this World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development means, recognizing the magnitude of the contribution engineers make to our world and to the goals of the 2030 Agenda.”
