The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Andrew Adejoh has lauded the efforts of students of Federal Government Girls’ Colleges (FGGC) Sagamu, for the development of a robot named Okikiola Sagamu aka ‘Kiki Saggy’.
Adejoh gave the commendation in his speech at an event to present and demonstrate how Kiki Saggy operates in the area of Artificial Intelligence on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Permanent Secretary congratulated the school’s leadership and the Robotics Team of the school.
He added that he was thrilled by their human minds and effort in the development of Kiki Saggy.
“I have seen same technology twice. Today, I am seeing this. I want to congratulate the unity colleges community for coming out with these ideas.
“Unity colleges should be taking the lead, and robotics is happening to present that opportunity for us to be number one.
“And like I have always challenged others, I am challenging Saggy Queens on this robot; think of extending your effort to also include something that will serve food in your cafeteria.
“If you succeed in doing that, a bigger and brighter opportunity will open for you to explore. So this is a big job and I congratulate you.
“I know you might have spent a lot of resources and thinking. This is what you should do more, because technologically speaking, the world is going to be driven by artificial intelligence in the next five years,” he said.
According to him, it is already happening in advance countries, stressing that in other countries in Asia there is a restaurant where everything is done by robots.
“So it is good that you students are catching up and we as a ministry are also trying to look at our curriculum. We have discussed with NERDC and they said they have done that for secondary schools.
“But we said that if you have done that for secondary schools, what about the base (primary schools); the base is also necessary. Children in developed world begin playing with computer in primary school,” he said.
Speaking, the Director/Principal of FGGC Sagamu, Dr Muyibat Olodo, said she led the college’s Robotic Team which consists of some students and members of staff who are coaches to the ministry.
“I led them here to present to you an innovation of the college, a HUMANOID named Okikiola Sagamu aka Kiki Saggy.
“The reason for the name is that FGGC Sagamu has been known for many initiatives and innovations since I assumed duty in the college.
“Okikiola means ‘the game of wealth.’ Definitely, FGGC Sagamu has a wealth of knowledge in its students and teachers and the same time, Okikiola Sagamu is bringing the college to the limelight.
“We pray that FGGC Sagamu in particular will continue to remain in the limelight for the good of and all Federal Unity Colleges across the country,” Olodo said.
Meanwhile, one of the students, Miss Esther Ogunaike said Kiki Saggy is purposeful, stressing that it can bend and pick things, and can be used for industrial purposes.
According to her, the version of Kiki Saggy is the first, adding that the team hopes that in the next version, it will be improved upon.
“We have a big plan for it,” she said.
However, the SS2 student explained that the process of building Kiki Saggy was not an easy task.
“Building was a bit challenging, especially the software, hardware, programming, cutting and drilling of holes. It is not easy.
“A foundation helped us. Also, Madam Lisa from the United States was of assistance to us.
“We are hoping that the Ministry of Education will give us the support and encouragement for us to make a better version of Kiki Saggy,” Ogunaike said.
The event attracted officials of the Ministry of Education and other relevant stakeholders.
High point of the event was the demonstration by the team where stakeholders interacted with robot.
