Lagos State South West Nigeria has emerged as the overall best State at the 27th Edition of the National Junior Engineers, Technicians and Scientists (JETS) competition.
The state also won the best overall JETS award, including the Quiz completion in the Grand finale held at the Nuclear Technology Center, Seda Science and Tech Complex in Seda Abuja, Nigeria
Two hundred students from twenty states participated in this year’s competition with the theme “Integrated technologies for sustainable food production and security”.
The Junior Engineers, Technicians, and Scientists, JETS competition was inaugurated in 1988 to expose students to technology to solve problems in society.
During the weeklong event, the students showcased their innovations which included “an automatic fire detector, an online election application to enable voting from the diaspora, drone and a technology that would help address farmers and herders clashes in the country.”
At the closing ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, described technology and innovation as drivers for socio-economic growth and sustainability.
He said Nigeria had the potential to achieve sustainable growth through technology.
“We all live in an era where technology and innovation are not at the back seat of progress and development but rather are important drivers for socio-economic growth and sustainable development. Today, we have experienced outstanding creativity with in-depth innovation among the students, thereby proffering solutions immersed in technology and sustainability in addressing the challenges of food security.
“With this competition, we have been re-awakened that Nigeria has an abundance of great potential among our students, and they have proven to be capable of tackling challenges in agriculture and technology,” he said.
He encouraged the students to continue to utilise their inherent talents for national development as the future of the country depends on them, especially in the areas of food security.
“I seize this opportunity to remind us that the journey to national development begins here. The different experiences and insights garnered will always remain a veritable tool for future scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs in developing solutions for food security and other critical sector challenges,” he said
The Permanent Secretary was represented by the Director, of Technology and Science Education in the Ministry, Dr. Muyibat Olodo.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Niger State, Professor Uno Uno, who commended the significant growth of the competition since its inception, also called for “collaboration with the private sector to promote the innovations.”
“As we conclude this innovative event, I feel rest assured that the future of our student’s desire is certain to ensure integrated technology for sustainable food production and security. We live in an era where technology and innovation are not at the back seat of progress and development but are important drivers for social economic growth and sustainable development,” he said
The Director of Science and Technology, Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Grace Akinfoyewa, who was elated, attributed the achievement of the Lagos team to “the dedication of the students and support from the state government.”
The students who were excited about their innovations thanked their coordinators for mentoring them.
One of them, David Babalola, who, among others, won the Laurel for Lagos state, said his love for the sciences and daily hard work came to bear at the competition.
“I love the sciences, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, and every day I learn them by heart with support from my teachers. I have been going from state to state to participate in different competitions. Past experiences made it easy for me amongst others to participate in the competition and win,” he said.
The 36-year-old competition has been and will continue to build the future of Nigeria through Engineering, Science and Technology.
Dominica Nwabufo
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