Alofos Foundation Holds Energy Expo for Schools

Dayo Adesulu

30 June 2011

Alofos Science And Technology Foundation (ASTF), a non-governmental organization promoting Science & Technology education in Nigeria, held her inauguration with a guest lecture and an Expo for students of secondary schools in Lagos.

In His Welcome Address, the Chairman of the occasion Prof. Oye Ibidapo Obe, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos and the current Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, recognised ALOFOS as an organization working with several people of goodwill within and outside Nigeria. Prof Ibidapo Obe further remarked that the Alofos Science and Technology Foundation is providing a framework that will see more Nigerians take interest in Science & Technology because they recognise the importance of Science & Technology to individual capacity building and national development”

Speaking at the Inauguration, Professor Olusoga Sofola, Chairman of the foundation’s Board of Trustees said the event was intended to open a new vista in the appreciation of Science & Technology by young Nigerians. He also described the Expo as a prelude to the takeoff of the first Science Centre in West Africa.

He said that the centre will serve as a dynamic medium that will make learning to be more interesting and participant-friendly. It will also inspire students to embrace science education, and serve as a focal point for Corporate Social Investment and Community development intervention by corporate organisations, and international donors as well as influence public sector agenda for development in science and technology education at all levels.

While acknowledging the challenges of realising the objectives of the programme, the Royal father of the Day, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Oba of Lagos commended the Foundation for their effort. He also commended the participants, partner institutions and well meaning individuals at the Expo for identifying with the aspiration of Alofos Foundation and its inauguration, urging them to sustain the enthusiasm that has stimulated wider interest among the people in a bid to raise the bar in Science & Technology education in Nigeria.

Earlier in her presentation, Dr Mrs Olayemi Sofola a board member of the Alofos Foundation, gave an overview of the foundation expressing optimism in the abilities of the young students participating in the Expo to lead the way in taking Nigeria to her aspiration of being among the top 20 economies of the World by 20:2020.

•L- R Prof. Adetunmbo Sofoluwe VC Unilag and Chief Host, Dr. Joseph Ngu , Director &Country Representing of UNESCO to Nigeria Prof. Soga Sofola , the Chairman of Board of Trustees of Alofos Science Technology Foundation, HRM Oba Riliwan Akiolu 1 the Oba of Lagos discussing.

Dr. Joseph Ngu Director and Country representative of UNESCO in his goodwill message noted that students in post-primary schools represent the core of the population transiting from childhood to adulthood, stressing that it is important for any project aimed at transforming the country through its education and vocation to pay more attention to younger people. “Today’s engagements with this group of young Nigerians present a unique opportunity to stimulate wider interest in Science & Technology education in Nigeria” he said.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos Prof Adetokumbo Sofoluwe in his goodwill message noted that Alofos Foundation has shown unequivocal commitment to capacity building using Science & Technology as an instrument, adding that the Expo for students in post-primary schools will further enhance the pool of Nigerians with requisite skills to contribute to national development.

High points of the inauguration include the Lecture titled “Frontiers in Solar Energy” by Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University, USA and Vice President of African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Prof Wole Soboyejo.

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