TECHNOLOGY: Edo poly emerges only polytechnic in the world to clinch Canadian govt’s 2020 research grant - The Press Tv

The Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, has emerged the only polytechnic in the world to win the 2020 edition of the Carleton University and Canadian government’s grant for the Gendered Design in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) programme, addressing challenges predominantly faced by women in low-and-middle income countries.

The polytechnic won the grant valued in millions of Naira to construct an eco-friendly generator for low-income female artisans in Nigeria, with Mrs. Ese Esther Oriarewo and Dr. Obokhai Kess Asikhia as primary and co-primary investigators, respectively on the project.

The Gendered Design in STEAM programme at Carleton University, funded by Canadian Government’s International Development Research Council (IDRC), was awarded to 20 research teams in Africa, Asia and Latin America, with the 19 other teams domiciled in universities.

Rector of Edo State Polytechnic, Prof. Abiodun Falodun, in reaction to the grant announcement, said the institution continues to prioritise Research and Development (R&D) as one of its core mandates, noting that the inclination to research is in furtherance of the target set by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration for state-owned institutions to pursue innovative, technology-driven methods to solving society’s problems.

According to him, “We are very excited that we secured the grant from the IDRC. It is an interesting chapter for us in the polytechnic because we are committed to time and energy to one of our core mandates, which is research.”

He added that the research grant from the Canadian government is aimed at designing and constructing a fuel-less generator, capable of producing a sustainable, accessible and environmentally-friendly electrical power machine to support female artisans operating in small and medium scale business ventures in Nigeria, adding, “The Project aims to construct a generator that improves gender equality by developing cheap and robust methods that incorporate the cognitive, emotional and cultural needs of female artisans.”

The two other teams from Nigeria that secured the IDRC’s grant are from the University of Uyo and Lagos State University.

Nigeria @ 60: We belong to one political family in Edo, says Obaseki

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that there is no form of political division among political parties in the state, noting that he would carry everyone along in his government.

The governor made the submission during an event themed “Together”, organised to celebrate Nigeria’s 60th Independence Day Anniversary in Benin City, the state capital.

Dignitaries at the event include Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Francis Okiye; Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Esther Edigin; Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Edo State, Bishop Oriname Oyonude Kure and the Chief Imam of Benin Central Mosque, Alhaji Abdufatah Enabulele, among others.

He said, “Our victory in the just concluded governorship election does not mean we should isolate ourselves. God gave us victory so as to show that he is God. Now that we have this victory, we are free at last. Nigeria is sixty and Edo State is thirty years old. As far as I am concerned, this victory is a call for service and sacrifice.”

According to him, “I can’t achieve what you expect of me without you. All of us are coming together to build Edo of our dreams. In our quest to build a Nigeria of our dreams, we have started the process by bringing people together. We do not have any political divide in Edo. All the political actors believe that Edo should move forward. On my part, God has made it possible for me to be the governor of the state and I am grateful to him.

Obaseki added, “What that means is that I have responsibility to every Edo citizens and every Edo resident weather they voted for me or not, I will do my part with your prayers and with God on our side we will rebuild Edo and in doing so we will be building one strong united Nigeria.

“If not for God, we would not be celebrating Nigeria at 60. There are not very many countries in the world that have gone through the same experiences as we have in the last sixty years. There is frustration in the land; there is anger but there is hope for Nigeria.”

Noting that it was important to be hopeful, he said, “Without hope, there will be no future. I am grateful to God for using me for strengthen and deepen democracy.”

In a goodwill message, the State Chairman of CAN, Bishop Oriname Kure, prayed that the hand of God will rest on President Muhammadu Buhari, calling on God to strengthen him to be able to lead Nigeria to greater heights.

“We thank God for the lives of all our leaders. We are grateful to God for the victory in the just concluded governorship election. In every generation, God raises men. Men like Governor Godwin Obaseki are very scarce. The battle you fought was not against your family, but a fight against the destiny of the state, and today we have come out victorious.”

The Chief Imam of Benin Central Mosque, Alhaji Abdufatah Enabulele, prayed for wisdom for leaders so they can be able to deliver dividend of democracy.