By Funmilola Gboteku/ Stellamaris Ashinze
The Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC) has called for stronger partnership with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to expand its programmes for women and girls.
Mrs Oreoluwa Lesi, Executive Director of W.TEC, said this during a courtesy visit to NAN on Monday in Lagos.
Lesi said the visit was to strengthen collaboration with NAN and improve the reach of W.TEC programmes.
She noted that NAN had played a key role in amplifying the organisation’s activities across the country.
“Your support has helped us reach more people and build trust in what we do,” she said.
Lesi explained that W.TEC was established in 2008 to address the low participation of women in technology.
She said the organisation had grown from a small office in Sura Shopping Complex to reaching over 60,000 girls, women and young people.
Lesi highlighted that one of the NGO’s initiative, ‘She Creates Camp’, was designed to encourage girls to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
“The camp allows girls to build things, explore technology and see how it applies to their daily lives,” she said.
She added that professionals are invited to mentor participants and guide their career choices.
Lesi said their After-School Academy was introduced to provide continuous learning opportunities for girls.
She noted that the programme was currently being implemented in schools across Lagos, Ogun and Kwara states.
Lesi added that the centre’s ‘She Can with ICT’ programme on the other hand helped women use digital tools to grow their businesses.
“We have seen women use simple tools like mobile phones to reach more customers and grow their income,” she said.
She added that the programme had impacted over 10,000 women across Africa.
Similarly, Mr Yemi Odutola, External Relations Officer at W.TEC, said NAN remained a strong media partner to the organisation.
He noted that NAN had consistently helped amplify W.TEC’s stories across Nigeria.
“We are here to deepen this relationship and continue working together,” he said.
Blessed Hamed-Musa, Programme Coordinator at W.TEC, said the organisation focused on measurable impact.
She explained that W.TEC collected data before and after its programmes to assess outcomes.
“About 69.6 per cent of our camp participants said the programme influenced their interest in STEM,” she said.
She added that 36.7 per cent of participants were studying or have studied STEM-related courses.
“For our She Can with ICT programme, 85 per cent of women reported improved digital marketing skills,” she said.
She noted that many participants recorded income growth of between 39 per cent and 70 per cent.
Responding, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, Head of NAN Lagos Operations, commended W.TEC for its impact on women and girls.
She noted that when organisations needed to reach different states, NAN remained a reliable platform to achieve that.
“This is what we do. We have been doing it for almost 50 years and we will continue to do it,” she said.
Omowole described NAN as the cheapest viral platform, adding that its reach cuts across the country and beyond.
“Talk to NAN, talk to the world. That is our slogan and we do not just say it, that is what we are,” she said.
She said NAN had offices in all the 36 states and district offices in many locations, including university towns.
Omowole said NAN maintained presence in university towns to ensure effective news coverage across communities.
She added that the agency operated in difficult terrains, including remote areas and the creeks, to ensure stories were not left untold.
She called for collaboration in capacity building, especially through W.TEC’s She Can with ICT programme.
Omowole said the organisation could train women in NAN to develop digital and business skills.
“I believe strongly that everyone must have a second stream of income. You can come and train our women through your ICT programmes,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Christiana Fadare
