Girls in ICT will drive economic growth – NITDA boss

DigitalSENSE Business News:

The Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr Peter Jack, has stressed the need for all stakeholders to support the education and exposure of the girl-child to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

This is coming as he recommended a seven-pronged strategic approach that will improve girl-child education and career choice in ICT in the country.

Mr. Jack who was speaking at 2014 edition of “International Girls in ICT” in Nigeria organised by e-Business Life Communication Limited in Lagos recently stated that through career development in IT Nigerian youths especially girls could be exposed to borderless employment opportunities, global competitiveness and create wealth for themselves and the nation as a whole.

According to Mr. Jack represented at the event by Mr. Mohammed Agbali, a recent survey by UNICEF, revealed that girls’ education does not only bring the immediate benefit of empowering girls, but is seen as the best investment in a country’s development. “Educated girls develop essential life skills, including self confidence, the ability to participate effectively in society, reduction in children and maternal mortality rates, contributing to national wealth and controlling disease and health status. Children of educated women are more likely to go to school and, consequently, this has exponential positive effects on education and poverty reduction for generations to come,” he noted.

Also, Mr. Jack used of gender-sensitive teaching methods, development of women-centred ICT policies and appropriate strategies for increasing girls’ interest ICT based career and introduction of “Training the Trainers” programme for teachers and school librarians are some of the steps that will encourage and support the girl-child excel in an ICT industry.

Others strategies the NITDA boss proposed include building of Community Empowerment Centres in areas where there’s a high demand for ICTs among girls and women and making ICT related curricular compulsory in all schools.

“Shift perspectives and organise special programs on ICT skill acquisition and equip girls with information on technology related careers rather than as a vehicle for elites’ leisurely pursuits;

Develop specialised training and mentorship by women/ladies with successful careers in ICT;

Setting up special advocacy groups to be involved in the development and delivery of continuous programs and awareness campaign about female role in the industry”, he said.

He observed that ICT offers unlimited potentials to leapfrog and build a better Nigeria, especially in the areas of poverty reduction, human capital development and gender equality.

Jack who averred that the global economic environment has challenged developing countries like Nigeria to devise innovative strategies for development without compromising the basic tenets of human existence, stressed that the benefits arising from innovative technological solutions, products and services have are now transforming and opening up new avenues for government, private sector and civil societies to work together in providing solid infrastructure for sustainable socio-economic growth.

Chukwudi Obi

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