Stakeholders push for investment in young girls at eBusiness forum

Gathering for the 12th edition of the International Girls in ICT Campaign, stakeholders convened by eBusiness Life Communication Limited in Lagos last Thursday emphasized the critical need for investment in young girls to prepare them for the tech careers of tomorrow.

 Convener, Girls-In-ICT/CEO, e-Business Life Communication Limited, Mrs. Ufuoma Emuophedaro (2nd from left); Manager, South-West Zonal office, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mrs. Jumoke Alaka, who represented the Director General of the Agency, Dr. Inuwa Abdulahi (far right); and Deputy Director, Head Corporate Communication, NCC, Nnenna Ukoha, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida (2nd from right; with winners of the STEM Quiz competition at the just-concluded eBusiness Life Int’l Girls in ICT Day Celebration held in Lagos.

Addressing the audience, Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), urged girls to stay abreast of evolving technology trends and strive for excellence to shape the future workforce. Representing Dr. Maida, Nnenna Ukoha, the Deputy Director and Head of Corporate Communication at NCC, highlighted the perpetual demand for skilled professionals in the ICT sector.

Dr. Maida underscored the importance of encouraging girls to pursue ICT careers, emphasizing that gender equality is crucial for shaping technology standards and fostering innovation. He stressed that investing in girls is an investment in the nation's future, citing the myriad opportunities available in the ICT sector, from software development to cybersecurity.

He also urged young women to leverage the Federal Government's 3MTT initiative, designed to provide technology career opportunities in various fields such as AI, data analysis, and user interface design.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), delivered a virtual message highlighting the theme of "Leadership" for 2024. She emphasized the need for more women in leadership roles within the ICT sector and called for investment in girls' education and mentorship to foster digital innovation.

Mrs. Jumoke Alaka, representing the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), encouraged girls to explore the positive aspects of technology while cautioning against its negative influences. She urged parents to guide their children in the responsible use of ICT gadgets and emphasized the importance of traditional reading methods.

During a tech-talk session, Oluwatobi Ayeni, Digital Strategist and Founder of 'MissTechy,' encouraged girls to be curious and explore ICT to drive innovation. Dr. (Mrs.) Ochuko Ibe, CEO of MyHealthHub, challenged girls to use technology to address societal needs, citing her journey of using technology to bridge medical gaps in underserved areas.

In her welcome address, Mrs. Ufuoma Emuophedaro, the Convener of Girls-In-ICT and CEO of e-Business Life Communication Limited, highlighted the growing demand for ICT skills and the myriad career opportunities available to girls with such expertise. She emphasized the transformative power of ICTs in various sectors and reiterated the importance of empowering girls in the field.

Emphasizing the leadership gender gap in STEM fields, Mrs. Emuophedaro called for greater representation of women in ICT leadership roles and policymaking positions. She underscored the importance of Girls in ICT Day in promoting gender equality and fostering digital empowerment.