The Director of United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Abuja, Ronald Kayanja, has urged girls and young women to aspire and acquire skills for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as these are not exclusive professions for boys only.
Penpushing reports that Kayanja made the call at the 2023 International Girls in Information Communications Technology (ICT) Day, organised by United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in collaboration with Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.Tec) and Tek Experts, on Tuesday at the United Nations (UN) House, Abuja.
“You must change the gender-based stereotypes that society has ascribed to certain professions and careers, especially those in STEM. You can only do this if you aspire and work hard in your studies and develop passion for ICT”, he emphasized
Penpushing reports that Kayanja who was represented by National Information Officer of the United Nations Information Centre(UNIC), Dr Oluseyi Soremekun, recalled that the United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) had estimated a skills shortfall of over two million jobs in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector within the next five years,
The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) who was a guest lecturer at the second anniversary lecture of Penpushing Media therefore charged all schoolgirls and young women to acquire Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills to be well-placed for a successful career in the sector.
Penpushing further reports that he explained that United Nations Information Centre(UNIC) and partners were working together to inspire and encourage girls to pursue a future in Information Communication Technology( ICTs) and to empower them by ensuring they have the necessary skills, confidence and support to achieve their goals.
The keynote speaker and founder/ chief executive officer of NextWear Tech Hub, Mrs Kemisola Bolarinwa charged the school girls to always remember that they are the future of Information Communication Technology (ICT).
Penpushing also reports that Bolarinwa told the school girls and acknowledged the fact that they have the power to shape the future, to create new possibilities, and to transform the world through technology.
The Executive Officer identified four important digital skills that she noted students should learn, and these were Digital Literacy; Cybersecurity; Coding and Programming: and Digital Communication, stressing that by acquiring these skills, they can become more successful in academic, personal, and professional lives.
The keynote speaker at the event well attended by number of students and other stakeholders emphasized and urged the participants to embrace the digital age and take advantage of the opportunities it offered.
The Assistant Director of Bilateral and International Relations at the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Secondary Education Board (SEB), Mary Ajibola, disclosed that the management of the Secondary Education Board(SEB) was unrelenting in promoting and encouraging girls to pursue their studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The Assistant Director thanked the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and their partners for organising the event and extending invitation to three of the schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to participate.
Penpushing further reports that International Girls in Information Communication Technology (ICT) Day is celebrated every 4th Thursday of April and the theme for this year’s observance is “Digital Skills for Life”.
Meanwhile, 90 girls from four Secondary Schools and the W.Tec ‘Make Her Space Girls’ attended the event, and include Model Secondary School, Maitama; Government Secondary School, Garki; Government Secondary School, Wuse and Premiere Academy Lugbe.
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