The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa has stressed the need for panegyric competition to promote cultural values, foster national unity, peace, creativity, eloquence, and a healthy competition among students.
Alausa was speaking at the maiden edition of Panegyric Competition among Nigerian Secondary school’s students in Abuja on Wednesday.
The Minister, represented by his Senior Special Assistant , Dr Ismaila Adiatu, said innovation and progress were driven by the pillars of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).
He explained the need to infuse STEAM as an heartbeat of morden education by equipping the youths with the skills to tackle global challenges, from climate change to health crisis.
According to him, integrating Arts into STEAM will foster creativity, turning discoveries into transformative innovations.
“In the 21st century where the world drives on innovation and progress driven by the piller of science and tech, this even will promote cultural values and historic heritage in us.
“However, the Arts in (STEAM) has not been given much attention, hence the need to organise the Panegyric competition as a way of exposing youths to the beauty of Arts
“I urge you all to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship and mutual respect. Also remember the fusion of knowledge and creativity reflects the power to change the world,” he said.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Education, Dr Suwaiba Ahmad, said the competition was aimed celebrating eloquence and the art of rhetoric, while also promoting a culture of scientific inquiry and technological advancement.
Highlight of the competition featured excellent competition among secondary schools in the country.
At the end of the competition, Federal Government College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State clinched the first position, while St. Monica’s Girl’s Grammar School and Federal Government Secondary School (GSS) Gombe emerged second and third positions respectively.