News Agency of Nigeria
Team HEDA wins all-female hackathon on rangeland innovation, data science in Kaduna

Team HEDA wins all-female hackathon on rangeland innovation, data science in Kaduna

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By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

Team HEDA has emerged victorious at an all-female Hackathon on Rangeland Innovation and Data Science, designed to position women in rangeland innovation and data science.

Team CODE came 2nd place, while Team HERDATA, clinched 3rd place in the just- concluded event on Tuesday in Kaduna.

The participants worked in teams to generate data-driven insights from an open Rangeland and Pasture Dataset on Kaggle.

With mentor guidance, the participants developed gender-responsive policy action recommendations to transform rangeland management and the livestock sector in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was hosted by Omeva Consulting, a firm promoting the use of data in sustainable agriculture, including the livestock sector across Africa.

The initiative was funded by the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria and the Spanish Cooperation Office, as part of their broader commitment to scientific diplomacy and international collaboration.

The hackathon tagged, ‘Women Transform Rangelands’ and with the theme, “Harnessing Data to Drive Policy Action”, combined virtual and in-person activities, including training, mentorship, expert seminars, and collaborative solution-building.

Speaking at the closing of the event, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the firm, Maria de la Puerta, noted that food production systems were under unprecedented pressure.

Puerta pointed out that data and technology revolution has already transformed agriculture, adding that “in many parts of the world, sensors tell us when and how much to irrigate.

“Satellites and drones help plantation managers monitor fields, plan harvests, and reduce waste.

“However, this revolution has barely touched the livestock sector, despite being responsible for feeding millions, sustaining rural economies, and supporting over half of the world’s land through rangelands.”

She argued that most hackathons chase business ideas or applications, but this one was deliberately focused on policy saying, “we are here to advocate for the use of data in the livestock sector.

“But why a female hackathon, especially since, in many cultures, women are not allowed to own livestock, or at least not the most valued ones, like cows.

“Yes, women may not own cows, but they are expected to feed their families; women are central to the food chain, yet too often left out of the conversation.”

The CEO stressed that women need platforms where they could thrive, be themselves and shine; and where their talent, too often overlooked, would be amplified.

She added that women equally need a platform where new role models could emerge, and where their voices were not just heard, but included into policies and solutions.

The Keynote Speaker, Dr Latifah Abdulkarim, a Strategic Programme and Development Manager, said that lack of data significantly affects livestock production.  

Speaking on the topic, “Harnessing Data to Drive Policy Action in the Livestock Sector”, Abdulkarim stressed the need to build data systems that transform livestock systems.

She added that data innovation could bridge raw data into actionable insights. connect technology with local realities, transform data into tools that inform policymakers, empower farmers and improve market efficiencies.

Also, Eva Barta, the Cultural Advisor, Embassy of Spain, said the embassy in Nigeria participated in the all-female hackathon to promote women’s empowerment, sustainable development, and Agenda 2030 priorities.

Barta said that the event showcased Spain’s commitment to inclusive solutions for global challenges.

“The hackathon highlighted the potential of data and digital technologies to improve quality of life and safety, particularly in sensitive topics like pastoralism and rangelands in Nigeria,” she said.

Barta congratulated the participants, thanking partners like Omeva Consulting, ACESDA, DSN, Farm4Trade, and Almara hub for their support in empowering women through data science.

In a goodwill message, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Dabo, said the hackathon was a timely innovation for the livestock sector.

Dabo, represented by Mr Amwe Akos, Deputy Director, Livestock Service at the ministry, said they were open to partnerships and data sharing, hoping the hackathon’s outcome would inform policy formulation.

The commissioner charged the participants to utilise the generated data-driven solutions for self-development and societal growth, thanking organisers and partners for the event.

Naomi Bitrus-David, the Project Manager of the hackathon, expressed gratitude to participants, partners, highlighting the importance of data, collaboration, and people in driving meaningful work.

She thanked the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria and partners for their support, and jurors, mentors, and volunteers for their ingenuity and commitment.

Bitrus-David believed that the ideas generated would shape conversations, drive implementation, and inspire other women, to mark the beginning of a promising journey.

One of the participants, Hadiza Ismail, a member of Team HEDA, said that she would use her data analytics skills and contribute to solving world problems.

Ismail encouraged other women to be diverse, learn, and take on new challenges.

“In spite of studying mass communication, I developed a passion for data analytics and have been doing projects since then,” she said.

Ismail believed in pushing beyond her comfort zone and engaging in projects that challenge her, which has helped her grow and develop her skills in data analytics.

The highlight of the grand finale was the presentation of gifts and cheques to the winners at the event. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Firm hosting all-female hackathon to position women in rangeland innovation, data science

Firm hosting all-female hackathon to position women in rangeland innovation, data science

314 total views today

 

By Philip Yatai

Omeva Consulting, a firm specialised in data science and communication across Africa, is hosting an all-female hackathon in Kaduna, to position women in rangeland innovation and data science.

Its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Maria de la Puerta, said at the ongoing event in Kaduna that the goal was to put women and data science at the centre of policy making for the livestock sector.

She said that the event, which runs from June 26 to July 8 with 30 participants, would set a bold new standard on how people think about rangeland, data, and gender inclusion.

The CEO said that the hackathon, tagged “Women Transform Rangelands”, would combine virtual and in-person activities, including training, mentorship, expert seminars, and collaborative solution-building.

She added that participants would work in teams to explore the Rangeland and Pasture Open Dataset on Kaggle and, with mentor guidance, develop practical solutions to transform rangeland management in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“With guidance from experienced mentors such as Ms Zainab Idris from Creativity Enthusiast Network and Mr Emmanual Gabriel from Paragon Analytics Ltd., the women would develop practical solutions and revolutionise rangeland management in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Beyond technical training and skills development, the hackathon seeks to amplify the visibility of Nigerian women in data science, showcasing their potential as innovators and leaders in sustainable rangeland management,” she said.

The CEO added that effort was building on the firm’s ArewaLadies4Tech mentorship programme, where it mentored several students, with many of them participating in the hackathon.

According to her, informed policy decisions require data, yet rangeland, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa are often left out of the data revolution that has transformed agricultural crop management.

She said that the gap limits the development of sustainable policies and solutions for livestock and pastoralist communities.

Puerta added that women remain underrepresented in both data science and policy making, despite their critical role in shaping resilient food systems.

According to her, the absence of women’s insights may lead to policies that may overlook key gendered and community-specific perspectives.

She said that the all-female hackathon addresses the challenges by empowering women in data science, strengthening female representation, and demonstrating how data informs policy decisions.

Puerta said that the initiative was supported by the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria and the Spanish Cooperation Office, as part of their broader commitment to scientific diplomacy and international collaboration.

“This aligns with the EU-funded PRISMA programme, which promotes agroecological transformation and climate resilience through data-driven solutions.

Also, Mr Juan Dembour, First Secretary of the Spanish Embassy, who officially opened the event, reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to leveraging data in the livestock sector and promoting gender equality across Africa.

Dembour added that by supporting initiatives that place women at the forefront of science, technology, and environmental innovation, Spain would continue to promote inclusive, forward-looking solutions to global challenges.

“The Spain Embassy and the Spanish Cooperation Office remain dedicated to strengthening partnerships that foster innovation, sustainability, and gender equality in practice.

“Beyond its technical aims, the hackathon reflects Spain’s dedication to women’s empowerment, sustainable development, and the agenda 2030 priorities,” he added.

Also, Valerio Perucci, from the Italian-based Farm4Trade, sponsor of one of the hackathon prizes, said that the participants would work with the Namibia Rangeland Dataset, a field-verified resource developed under the Lacuna Fund.

Perucci explained that the dataset included detailed data on biomass, vegetation cover, and grazing patterns across 20 sites.

“This hands-on engagement with real data will enables the teams to explore practical pathways for using evidence in policymaking, ensuring that the voices, knowledge, and priorities of women are no longer left out of the conversation,” he said.

On her part, Mrs Olanike Olugboji-Daramola, founder, Women’s Initiative for Sustainable Environment lauded the deliberate choice of women for the hackathon.

This, she said, would create a safe and inclusive space where women could speak freely, lead confidently, and innovate without the social pressures that often limit women’s engagement in mixed settings.

“Women often hold back, not because they lack ideas or ability, but because of social pressure, especially in mixed settings.

“We are raised to stay quiet, not to take the lead. This hackathon creates a space where women do not need permission to speak up, try bold things, or lead with confidence,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

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