Lawmaker, firm empower 300 women with ICT training
By Funmilola Gboteku
A federal lawmaker, Mrs Kafilat Ogbara, on Saturday empowered 300 women from her constituency and other parts of Lagos with comprehensive Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the training programme, Ogbara, Member, House of Representatives, Kosofe Federal Constituency, said that the empowerment initiative was driven by her commitment to uplift women.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was done in partnership with New Horizons, an ICT Training Institution.
Ogbara said that the ICT training would equip the women with relevant skills for a modern economy.
“The recruitment process for beneficiaries was transparent, and all applicants were given equal opportunities to apply. The participants were selected based on their potential for ICT knowledge.
“This initiative emphasises the significance of women’s empowerment, aligning it with the global Sustainable Development Goal number five on gender equality,” the lawmaker, who also chairs the House Committee on Women’s Affairs and Social Development, said.
Ogbara noted that empowering women would have ripple effects and positively impact families, communities and the nation at large.
She said that the training would also provide the women with a lifeline and lifetime empowerment, enabling them to become independent, innovative and contribute meaningfully to society.
Ogbara urged the women to believe in themselves, be confident, and understand that character was as important as knowledge and qualifications for sustained success.
“As women, we need to be resolute, hardworking, and view challenges as opportunities for growth. We need to dismiss any notion of limitations based on our gender,” she said.
Ogbara pledged her commitment to monitoring the beneficiaries’ progress, exploring possibilities for further support and providing necessary tools for them.
Mr Tim Akano, the Chief Executive Officer of New Horizons Nigeria, said that the training was designed to expose the women to the vast IT ecosystem.
“It will help them identify suitable skills based on their individual interests and aptitudes,” he said.
He noted that the curriculum would cover various aspects of IT, including coding, graphics design and cybersecurity, thereby, providing a foundational knowledge upon which the beneficiaries could build future expertise.
Akano underscored the potential economic impact of the initiative, citing the dominance of IT in the global economy and among the world’s wealthiest individuals.
He emphasised that equipping youths and women with IT skills was a direct investment in building a robust economy, as it required minimal initial capital to start an online business.
Akano recalled Ogbara’s previous contribution to establishing a well-equipped IT lab, indicating her past commitment to providing necessary resources.
Akano said that the 300 women were divided into six batches, with each batch undergoing a one-week intensive training programme.
He reiterated that the selection process ensured that participants had an existing interest and foundational knowledge in IT, and were all graduates, signifying a high potential for success in the field.
Akano underscored New Horizons’ pride in partnering with Ogbara on the impactful initiative, recognising her consistent dedication to empowering her constituents.
He also highlighted the institution’s commitment to providing top-notch training and a conducive learning environment.
Two of the beneficiaries, Fauzia Salako-Sani and Damilola Obiriko, who are class representatives for the different batches, expressed their gratitude for the opportunity and their determination to maximise the training.
Salako-Sani, a content provider and broadcast journalist, stated her intention to leverage the IT skills to enhance her profession and contribute more in the technology space.
“I promise to encourage my classmates to be attentive, committed and practical in their learning, because this is a golden opportunity,” Salako-Sani said.
Similarly Obiriko, a Brand Analyst and an alumnae of New Horizons, lauded the institution’s excellent delivery and learning environment.
She highlighted her interest in data analysis and cyber security, saying that the training would significantly upgrade her skills and make her a more sought-after professional. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Edith Bolokor/Yinka Fadare
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