The African Schools Outreach Programme (ASOP), Nigeria Chapter initiated by the International Veterinary Vaccinology Network (IVVN) is an outreach programme creating awareness for our girl child due to the underrepresentation of females in STEM globally.
While speaking at the assembly ground in Isale Oyo Community Grammar School, Oyo, Mr. Femi Afolayan, a member of the team, started with a campaign against drug abuse and cybercrime.
He explained that pp the initiative has covered 29 schools in Nigeria, out of which 19 schools are from Oyo State., stating that Over 10, 000 students have been sensitized on Career choice, and Campaigns against cybercrimes and drug abuse.
He explained the effects, consequences and expected roles to be played by students, teachers, and parents in curbing the menace in the society.
He emphasized that the consumption of alcohol and other harmful substances, destroy human organs gradually particularly the liver and kidneys, adding that there is a need for the students not to yield to peer pressure from their peers nor be curious to have a taste.
The outreach programme continued with a workshop in the laboratory, where the students carried out a hands-on rabies diagnostic experiment.
The ASOP team members (facilitators) educate the students on vaccines, and infectious diseases, streamlining it to rabies infection, and exposing them to the consequences of this infectious disease that has no cure.
The students were kitted with personal protective equipment, they were also provided with apparatus such as micropipettes, Eppendorf tubes, reagents, disposable tips and mock samples.
The students carried out the experiments on mock samples under the supervision of the facilitators and the school science teachers.
The ASOP coordinator, Dr. Funmilayo Afolayan,gave a career talk, enlightening the students that there are different career options in science, using herself as an example as a zoologist.
She explained that not only doctors are scientists.
According to her,
“In addition, to promote sustainable development goal 2 (SDG2), which is dedicated to ending hunger, improving food security and nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture, fruit seedlings were planted by the students and their teachers under the supervision of the ASOP team members for the nutritional needs of the school.
“In conclusion, feedback from the questionnaires administered to the students after the workshop and excitement of the experiment shows that girls are now aware of the different options in the field of science and are ready to pursue a career in science.
“The Principal of Isale Oyo Community Grammar School, the ASOP Coordinator in Nigeria and some facilitators were interviewed.
The ASOP Coordinator, also appreciated the State Government through the Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Professor Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu for their constant support.
She appealed to both federal and state governments to look into the state of the laboratories in public secondary schools in the country, saying that access to more laboratory equipment and apparatus by the students would assist the organization to further achieve their objectives and increase the enthusiasm in the students.
She said it became imperative for the students to believe in their abilities and work towards attaining their goals.
Other facilitators lamented that drug abuse among youths had become rampant in recent times and charged the students not to engage in drug abuse for any reason.
In his remarks, the Principal of the school, Mr. Ademola Majekodunmi, commended the Oyo State Government for their support and the facilitators for the initiative and the privilege of coming to their school, urging other able Non-Governmental Organizations to emulate the International Veterinary Vaccinology Network and support initiatives such as this.
