Lagos: 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, explained that the empowerment initiative was driven by her commitment to uplift women.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the programme was conducted in partnership with New Horizons, an ICT Training Institution. Ogbara highlighted that the ICT training would equip the women with relevant skills for a modern economy. She emphasized the transparency of the recruitment process for beneficiaries, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants based on their potential for ICT knowledge.
Ogbara, who chairs the House Committee on Women’s Affairs and Social Development, underscored the initiative’s alignment with the global Sustainable Development Goal number five on gender equality. She noted the broader impact of empowering women on families, communities, and the nation, providing them with a lifeline and lifetime empowerment to become independent and innovative contributors to society.
The lawmaker encouraged the women to trust in their abilities, stressing the importance of character alongside knowledge and qualifications for sustained success. She committed to monitoring the beneficiaries’ progress and exploring further support possibilities.
Mr. Tim Akano, CEO of New Horizons Nigeria, said the training aimed to expose the women to the IT ecosystem, helping them identify suitable skills based on their interests and aptitudes. The curriculum covers various IT aspects, including coding, graphics design, and cybersecurity, providing foundational knowledge for future expertise.
Akano highlighted the economic potential of equipping women with IT skills, considering the global dominance of IT and the minimal capital required to start an online business. He recalled Ogbara’s past contributions to establishing an IT lab, demonstrating her commitment to providing necessary resources.
The 300 women were divided into six batches for a one-week intensive training programme. Akano noted that the selection process ensured participants had an existing interest and foundational knowledge in IT, indicating a high potential for success.
Two beneficiaries, Fauzia Salako-Sani and Damilola Obiriko, expressed gratitude for the opportunity and determination to maximize the training. Salako-Sani, a content provider and broadcast journalist, intends to enhance her profession with IT skills, while Obiriko, a Brand Analyst, plans to upgrade her skills in data analysis and cybersecurity.
