The annual STEAM Funfest 2023 event has highlighted the importance of nurturing children’s knowledge in fields that offer innovative solutions to emerging challenges. Parents, guardians, and caregivers attending the event received a strong recommendation to guide their children towards careers and skills in information technology (IT) to effectively address present and future issues.
A statement released by the event’s organizers quoted Mr. Omoyiola Oladipupo, the Product Manager of Youth Segment at Access Bank, who stressed the need for parents to steer their children towards fields that contribute real-world solutions. He emphasized that the modern era’s demand for skills in science, technology, mathematics, coding, graphics, and more, plays a crucial role in simplifying lives and fostering success in chosen domains.
“In this information age, skills in science, technology, mathematics, coding, graphics, etc., are greatly needed to make lives easier for people. That is how they can excel in their chosen space,” he added.
Mr. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, CEO of Future Africa, echoed this sentiment, underlining Nigeria’s urgent requirement for homegrown solutions to its challenges. He highlighted that today’s children and youth aren’t solely future consumers, but also future producers. The skills acquired through events like STEAM Funfest are poised to become super skills that must be wielded with a strong sense of responsibility.
The event provided an immersive learning experience for children, featuring hands-on activities such as coding, animation, robotics, science experiments, 3D printing, and game development. These opportunities aimed to broaden children’s perspectives on technology and innovation while fostering a passion for creative problem-solving.
Titi Adewusi, co-founder of 9ijakids, elaborated on the event’s approach by stating that seasoned experts were invited to impart crucial skills to children that are indispensable for national development. The event’s focus on practical learning underscored the importance of preparing today’s youth for their roles as future changemakers and problem solvers.
As the STEAM Funfest 2023 event concluded, attendees left with a renewed commitment to nurturing the talents and interests of the younger generation, ensuring that they are equipped to tackle Nigeria’s challenges head-on while contributing to a brighter and more innovative future.
