Supporting the global Girls in ICT movement empowers girls and young women to pursue ICT studies and careers. Girls and young women have the potential not only to become ICT users, but also to become ICT creators. This year’s International Girls in ICT Day by Youth Initiative for Sustainable Human Development in Africa (YiSHDA) was implemented in Abuja, Kaduna, Zamfara and Kwara State with the theme “Creating a Sustainable Future: The role of ICT”. In Abuja, a total of (50) girls from three Science Secondary School namely: Government Girls Science Secondary School Kuje, Abuja, Government Science Technical College Abuja, Government Science Secondary School Maitama, Abuja and was implemented the ICT Centre of the FCT Department of Education. Guest at the Event include Hajiya Hadiza Ingawa, Deputy Director/Head of Gender Unit at the FCT Education Department, Mr Mohammed Ibn Saheeb, Head of Entrepreneurship and Business at FCT Education Department, Mr. Moses Agbara, YiSHDA’s Head of Communication and Public Relation, Ibrahim Ismaila, YiSHDA’s Program Manager/Strategist and. In his welcoming remark, Mr. Moses Agbara explained the relevance of celebrating Girls in ICT and also reiterates the need to make girls become active users of ICT in our modern world. Hajiya Hadiza Ingawa also in her remarks admonished the girls to be bold and courageous in the pursuit of their respective careers in ICT. YiSHDA’s Programs Manager, Mr Ibrahim Ismaila spoke on the importance of pursuing careers in ICT and calling on the girls to utilize ICT in their everyday endeavour. After which the girls were exposed to practical introduction to Scratch Programming Language by Mr. Umaru Emmanuel Shaibu. In Kaduna, the event brought together a total of (55) girls from Government Girls Secondary Kabala, (Senior Section) Kabala, Kaduna, Government Girls Secondary School Independence way (Senior Section) , St Micheal’s Anglican Diocesan college Ibrahim Taiwo Road Kaduna and Ansarudeen College Kaduna and was implemented at the E-Library of the National Library of Nigeria, Kaduna Branch. Guest at the event include the Deputy Director, Female Education at the Kaduna State Ministry of Education Mrs. Helen Muazu, Mrs. Kpeydo Thomas Ezekiel a Freelance Blogger, Writer and Journalist, Representative of Head of National Library in Kaduna Mrs. Kande Magani, Mr. Pius Dauda, YiSHDA’s Program Officer. The girls were encouraged by Mrs. Kpeydo Thomsa Ezekiel to see reasons why they should make a career out of ICT and stop seeing themselves as incapable of exploiting ICT, but rather should surprise the men whom are seen as the people created to be ICT experts. Mr. After which Mr. Agbara Raphael took the girls on the Basics of ICT and the use of Internet. In Kwara State, the event was implemented at the Kwara State Library Board with a total of 70 secondary school girls in attendance. The event provided an avenue for some of the girls to touch the Computer System for the very first time. The girls were exposed to Basic Computer Skills and various Educational Resources on the Internet. Guest at the event include the Director of Female Education at the Kwara State Ministry of Education and the Head of Kwara State Library Board. In Zamfara State, Girls in ICT was implemented at the Zamfara State Library Board with a total of 60 out of school girls. Girls were introduced to Basic Computer Skills and its applications to our everyday lives.
Testimonies and Feedbacks “I learned that it is not only men that can use ICT, women can also make a career out of it. As a girl, I should not limit myself or downgrade myself for any reason; because what a man can do a woman can do better. I will fully get involve in ICT and will not see it as a Man affairs but also for Female. I promise that from now on, I will participate fully in ICT because sooner or later I will need it. Thank you YiSHDA”. –Toluwalope Oluwafemi, St. Michaels’ Anglican College, Kaduna
“YiSHDA has provided me a great platform to pursue career in ICT. Girls in ICT Day is indeed an eye opener for me”. –Mary Ayandokun, GGSS Independence Way, Kaduna. “I have learnt how to make calculations and designs using scratch programming, I have been challenged to think of ways to use ICT to solving problems. YiSHDA should continue to keep the flag flying in training girls in ICT’’. - OKPALANEDU AGNES, Government Science & Technical College (GSTC), Abuja “ICT has never been a tool of interest to me, but today’s event has inspired me and broadened my knowledge immensely on the benefits of ICT, I hope to create useful software’s in the future that will help in diagnosing diseases.’’ - OSINUBI AYOMIDE UZOAMAKA, Government Girls Science Secondary, Kuje, Abuja
The President/CEO of Youth Initiative for Sustainable Human Development in Africa (YiSHDA), Joseph Emmanuel Yaba said YiSHDA is still very committed to preparing young girls for careers in the field of ICT and also to encourage and enhance young girl’s education through ICT. Through the International Girls in ICT Day, YiSHDA will continue to avail young girls the tremendous opportunities which the ICT sector holds for them and their future. |