Prof. Rose-Margaret Advocates Investment in Women As 32 Female Engineers Get UNIDO Scholarships
Professor Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua, the first African woman with PhD in Cybernetics and founder of Sabi Africa Network, a subsidiary of the African Technology and Innovation Institute (AFRITECHII) has said that investment in women is crucial for accelerated progress in environmental resiliency and climate action. She said this at the recently held virtual Charity Kbapep Scholarship award programme where 32 female engineers and technicians were beneficiaries.
A United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) initiative supported by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Society for Women Engineers, the Charity Kpabep Scholarship programme is designed to support female engineers’ and technicians’ advancement in Science Technology Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields
In her opening remarks, Prof. Rose-Margaret who is also the Chairperson of the UNIDO Working Group of the Charity Kpabep Scholarship Programme, emphasized that a vision without women is a vision with no sustainable technologies”. She maintained that for a firm sustainable development, women must be empowered to embrace technologies to pave the way for speedy development, especially in developing economies.
Meanwhile, while speaking at the event, Dr. Osuji Otu, representative of the UNIDO Regional Office, said the scholarship component forms part of the activities proposed for Nigeria’s hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) Stage III Project. He revealed that the HPMP Stage III Project targets to phase out 17.13 Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) metric tons of HCFC-22 to a low Global Warming Potential technology- R-32, as well as assist Nigeria in meeting the target of 67.5 per cent reduction in HCFC baseline consumption by 2025.
Dr. Osuji underscored the importance of gender inclusivity in STEM education and employment, and the broader significance of initiatives like the Charity Kpabep Scholarship programme in advancing sustainable development goals and fostering a more equitable society.
Similarly, United Nations Women Representative in Nigeria, Patience Ekeoba, delivered a goodwill message congratulating the awardees. In her words, “the Federal Government, UNIDO, SWE, AFRITECHII and other partners have sewn a seed that should be nurtured into a tree, to shoulder other women in the sector”.
Dr Ina Colombo-Youla, Deputy Director General of the International Institute of Refrigeration, France, while presenting the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) and the International Network of Women in Cooling (INWIC) to the participants, charged the beneficiaries through her experiences to identify themselves and be what they want to be, and make an impact in STEM fields without fear.
To crown the event, Engr. Idris Abdullahi; National Ozone Officer and Rep. Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria, awarded the beneficiaries of the CK Scholarship, wishing them the best in their career part in the Refrigeration Air Condition and Manufacturing Sector, and encouraging them to thrive to make the nation proud.
Mr. Yomi Oluyemi Banjo; National Programme Coordinator Environment and Energy, and moderator of the Charity Kpabep Scholarship programme, Engr. Vera Egwatu and Chair SWE Africa Advisory Board, Christy Obasi, among others.
