By Lukman Olabiyi, Lagos

EKOEXCEL, the innovative digital initiative launched in 2019 by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to transform primary schools, recorded another milestone recently when the state pupils emerged second and third at the National Junior Engineers, Technicians and Scientists (JETS) competition.

At the competition, which was organised by the Department of Science and Technology, Federal Ministry of Education, held at the National Mathematical Centre, Abuja recently, three pupils of the EKOEXCEL initiative overseen by the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) shone brightly in the two categories they competed in.

John Daniel from St. Francis Primary School, Maryland, came second in the quiz competition, two girls, Unique Emmanuel and Sarah Adeyemi of Monsuru Agoro Primary School, Mafoluku, took the third position in the project competition.

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Affirming the inclusive education pupils are receiving with EKOEXCEL, the two girls presented an air and temperature monitoring system they developed using an embedded approach.

Speaking about their feat, Emmanuel and Adeyemi attributed it to the quality instruction they received under EKOEXCEL, noting that it had tremendously improved their education.

Commenting on Lagos’ excellent showing, LASUBEB Chairman Wahab Alawiye-King said: “This achievement excites all of us about EKOEXCEL programme, especially because of the participation by females in this cohort. One of the core principles of EKOEXCEL is inclusion, and we are happy that our female pupils are proving their mettle on the national stage. Our pupils’ achievements also reassure us that we are on the right track, and we will not relent.”

Former executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and a prominent science educator, Peter Okebukola founded the Junior Engineers, Technicians and Scientists (JETS) Club in 1982. The club aims to expose young minds to science, engineering, and technology. Some of its objectives include preparing young minds for a high level of imagination and reasoning, teaching young minds to acquire valuable practical skills and equipping young minds with a broad range of engineering and science-related skills.