The Keynote Speaker at the recently held 2021 IUPAC Global Women's Breakfast (GWB) event, Mrs. Hannah A. Oluyemi, reiterated the need to focus on Goal 5 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, particularly in the Sciences.
The programme with the theme, 'Empowering Diversity in Science', provided more room to build a platform for women in Science, enabling them to celebrate one another, especially allowing young girls and upcoming women to choose role models in the sciences.
While speaking at the event hosted by Covenant University, Mrs. Oluyemi stated that gender equality was a fundamental human right and a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. She identified factors capable of bridging the gender gap and encouraging female inclusiveness in Sciences as education, the right support system, networking, tax relief, and special grants.
Mrs. Oluyemi also urged women to continue to improve themselves no matter their level because, according to her, "women who invest in themselves go farther". She stressed the smartness and the unique nature women possessed.
A Guest Speaker at the event, Professor Oluyemisi Eromosele, former DVC Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, who spoke on the topic 'Professionalism and Personal Life: Hanging on a Balance', defined a professional as anyone who earned a living from performing an activity that required a certain level of education, skill or training.
According to her, personal life was what you aspired to achieve for yourself, emotionally, physically, spiritually and in your relationships, such as having a loving partner, children, amongst others; but professional success is what you aim for in your professional life or workplace.
She stated that individuals should be able to separate their professional life from their personal life to create a balance. She said one had to have an organised schedule and know when to work and when not to work.
In his opening remarks at the event, the Head of Department, Chemistry, Professor Joseph Olugbuyiro, welcomed the participants and guests, stating that the rapid development of technology and instrumentation techniques had allowed great progress in understanding Science, in particular, chemistry and its functions.
According to him, Science was a huge river of knowledge with diverse branches that converged at the confluence of applications. He said it was important for a chemist or biologist to avail himself of some knowledge development in other related areas of Science for research, professional development, and sound academic and industrial delivery.
“On the other hand, Scientists must interplay various related branches in Science for sophistication and command of professionalism, as it was needful for community development and societal impact,” he said.
Other Guest Speakers include Dr. (Mrs) Oseyemi Olubomehin, who spoke on the topic, 'Empowering Diversity in Science: Achieving Work-Life Balance', and Dr. Anuoluwa Akinsiku, who spoke on 'Finding Research Collaboration'. Also at the event was Dr. Samuel Babajide, Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) Chairman, and other participants from across the globe.