Nigeria’s telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will be leading other stakeholders as eBusiness Life Communication Limited hosts young girls in the 2022 edition of the International Girls in ICT Day campaign.
The hybrid event, which will hold at the Lagos Oriental Hotel on May 12, 2022, is part of an annual campaign initiated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to sensitise and encourage young women and girls to delve into ICT and related careers, which the male gender has dominated. The 2022 theme will be centred on “Expanding Horizons, Changing Attitudes: Access And Safety”.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of eBusiness Life Communication and convener of the event, Mrs Ufuoma Emuophedaro, the need to sensitise young girls is premised on the fact that the society has unconsciously relegated the female gender and delegated careers in technical fields, especially in ICT, to their male counterparts.
She noted that efforts should be made to introduce young girls to career opportunities in technical fields in both the public and private sectors to help them have a wider range of options and contribute their quota in the industry and in the development of the economy.
Other stakeholders that have confirmed partnerships towards this year’s event include MTN, VDT Communications, 9mobile, Globacom, Access Bank and Inq Digital. The support from these foremost ICT companies underscores the importance of the campaign.
This year’s eBusiness Life International Girls in ICT Day event will have the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami as the Special Guest and be chaired by the Group Chief Sustainability Officer/Chairwoman, Jumia Nigeria, Juliet Anammah, with a Keynote from the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, and a special presentation on Cryptocurrency by the Chief Visionary Officer, Digital Encode, Dr Peter Obadare.
Other dignitaries at the event will include the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen; Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, and decision-makers in the industry.
As part of the 2022 event, there will be a video animation competition among female students from select public and private secondary schools; a roundtable discussion among the students to be moderated by award-winning compere and broadcast journalist, Mrs Loiusa Olaniyi; interactive and motivational talk from renowned women ICT professionals; and Schools’ quiz competition, among others.
International Girls’ Day is an initiative launched through ITU Resolution 70 with the idea of creating a global environment that will empower and encourage girls and young women to consider careers in the field of information and communication technologies.
The Union declared the 4th (fourth) Thursday of April every year as a special day to celebrate and encourage girls and young women to consider careers in ICT, and the society is reminded to support them in their choice.
According to the organisers, this year’s event can also be viewed virtually on YouTube and Zoom. The YouTube link is https://youtu.be/n2L1jQbSOuo.
