The Nation Newspaper

Tag: women

  • PG fellowships for women

    The Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World has invited applications for its postgraduate training fellowships for women scientists. The deadline is May 31.

    The fellowship would enable women scientists from sub-Saharan Africa and least developed countries to pursue postgraduate training leading to a doctorate degree at a centre of excellence in the south outside their own country. Fellowships support research in the natural sciences.

    Applicants need at least an MSc or equivalent, or an outstanding BSc honours degree in the natural sciences, engineering or information technology disciplines.

    The host institute must be located in a developing country other than the applicant’s home country. Applicants who wish to register as PhD students at their home institution may undertake part of their research programme at a host institute in another developing country, for a minimum period of six months.

    Full-time fellowships are offered for three years and cover travel, a monthly allowance to cover accommodation and meals, visa costs, a contribution towards medical insurance and attendance at one international conference or training course. Sandwich fellowships are offered for a minimum period of six months and include travel, accommodation and living expenses while at the host institution.

    Applicants can make enquiries by sending an email to fellowships@owsd.net ; or visiting http://owsdw.ictp.it/activities/postgraduate-training-fellowships.

     

  • W.TEC hosts workshop for women

    W.TEC, a non-governmental organisation advancing the economic and social empowerment of girls and women, using information and communication technologies (ICTs), is  holding  a Technology & Entrepreneurship class for  women this   month.The  forum  is free.

    The organisation  said  the programme will hold on Fridays and Saturdays.

    The  programme  is aimed at equipping them with useful technological and ICT skills that will improve their business, employability and productivity in the work and business place.

    The  organisation  said  the  course, an eye-opener towards exploring career opportunities and options, will  help  women to acquire income generating skills.

  • Fayose’s wife to women: don’t abandon babies

    Fayose’s wife to women: don’t abandon babies

    Apparently disturbed by the unending incidences of abandonment of babies in Ekiti State, wife of the Governor, Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose, has called for an end to the act.

    Mrs. Fayose said rather than throwing away babies she described as gifts from God, mothers in such positions should approach relevant institutions for the safe upkeep of such babies.

    The Ekiti First Lady made the remarks during her visit to Erelu Angela Adebayo Children’s Home in Iyin-Ekiti where she spent time with the children and staff.

    Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose (second right) presenting beverages and food item to the Matron of Erelu Adebayo Children Home, Iyin-Ekiti, Mrs. Josephine Abiodun (third left) during the governor’s wife visit to the Children Home...recently.With them are Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Janet Olusola (second left), Wife of the Head of Service, Mrs. Tola Faseluka (left) and the Director of Child Development in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Boluwatife (right).
    Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose (second right) presenting beverages and food item to the Matron of Erelu Adebayo Children Home, Iyin-Ekiti, Mrs. Josephine Abiodun (third left) during the governor’s wife visit to the Children Home…recently.With them are Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Janet Olusola (second left), Wife of the Head of Service, Mrs. Tola Faseluka (left) and the Director of Child Development in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Boluwatife (right).

    She used the opportunity to donate food items, beverages and toiletries to the Home.

    The First Lady noted that it was a sin against God for a woman to abandon her child under whatever guise.

    She said: “It is a sin against God for a woman who carried a pregnancy for nine months and after delivering the baby decide to dump it.

    “If you know you cannot take care of such a baby, you can openly sign off with children home or hospital so that they can help you to take care of such a baby.

    Mrs. Fayose said she had promised during her last visit to the Home in January this year when she was marking her 51st birthday anniversary that she would not distance herself from the Home.

    She commended the members of staff of the Home for their selfless care for the children.

    In his remarks, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, who doubles the Director, Social Welfare, Mr. Ayo Ibikunle, expressed appreciation to the governor’s wife for her benevolence, describing her as a blessing to the state.

    Also speaking at the occasion, the Director, Child Development, Mrs. Boluwatife urged well-to-do individuals and organisations to support the home with educational materials for the children.

    She called on well spirited people in the society to develop the habit of taking the children to their personal homes during holidays.

  • More women embrace family planning in Ibadan

    More women embrace family planning in Ibadan

    Family Planning clinics in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital are receiving more patronage thanks to renewed awareness among women. TAYO JOHNSON reports. 

    Hundreds of women in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, are now embracing different types of family planning techniques to delay pregnancies, to enjoy social and economic input, as well as have good healthcare.

    And credit for this goes to  the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI), which has in thelast four years been sensitising people in five local government areas in the city about the benefit of the health initiative.

    At one of the primary healthcare centre at Basorun, Ibadan where the women have been receiving family planning tips, the former Chief Nursing Officer of the clinic and Mrs Christian Solagbemi, disclosed that over 200 women are registering for family planning monthly at the centre.

    •A client, Mrs Risikat Adigun
    •A client, Mrs Risikat Adigun

    She told The Nation that :”We record about close to 125 to 200 new  clients every month because NURHI gave us everything for free and the client doesn’t have to pay for anything. They also provided a conducive environment. They made things to be comfortable for the clients and the provider, and this attracted the clients.

    “In the last few years, women in Ibadan communities are embracing family planning due to much awareness on it and it’s safer and better for a healthy lifestyle for women and single ladies.It has reduced unwanted pregnancy among married women and youths.

    “Although we have a lot of misconception about it but with public awareness, people have started recognising it’s benefit. Some women believe that having family planning will make their tummy to be swollen, cease or change their menstral cycle, while others think that it will not allow them to be able to bear a child again.

    “Also some husbands  are of the belief that with family planning their wives will be cheating on them” she said

    •Waiting room at the family planning clinic
    •Waiting room at the family planning clinic

    To address all this misconceptions Solagbemi said the first step is to tutor the client on the importance of family planning after which they will be allowed to choose the method they desire.  However, she said the Clinic at times choose a family planning method for a client but on few occassions.” She said

    Explaining how it works, Solagbemi said:” Before we used to have Intra-Urine Device (IUCD) method, it use to be giving to our client who probably has hard enough clinic and given might decide she doesn’t want children again.  It last for 12 years. But in case she wants children again it can be removed and we also have the shortest one which is the use of pills and implants. Test will first be conducted on the client to know if she is not pregnant and which method will be more suitable for them.

    “The effect of this has given our clients more confidence, and it enables them to space their children, take care of their children and family. Before they were worried about the finances involved in family planning, bearing in mind that poverty is very high in the country and some women cannot even afford to pay N300 for it, but since it is free, more women are embracing embrace the family planning technique. Some of them are even bringing in more of thier firends and they now have happy homes with their husband”

    She further stated that in the past, some women were ignorant of family planning, but with the assistance of NURHI and Ministry of Health, more awareness has been created.

    Sharing her experience on family planning, 33-year-old Omowumi Kehinde, a mother of three, said the injection method of family planning has been of great assistance to her health since she started three years ago.

    Although she stated that she was scared to go into it in the first place, but after she eventually delved into the family planningmethod, it has been effective and there is no side effect attached to it as it was being speculated in some quarters.

    “My husband was aware when I wanted to start the family planning method and , he encouraged me and it has helped my home to grow. I will urge other women in the country to embrace family planning technique” She said

     

  • ‘Women not making most of IT opportunities’

    ‘Women not making most of IT opportunities’

    Tolulope Elugbadebo is Technical Team Lead for Avante Consulting Solutions. She has different experience in Information Technology spanning across Web Application Development, Software Implementation and Support, Database Administration and Business Intelligence. As an IT consultant, she seeks to continually apply her skills and experience globally towards the stability of software solutions, ensuring optimum performance and utilisation of applications. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about her initial love for medicine, her new passion, challenges and more.

    HOW would you describe the experience in IT and how has it affected your life?

    I have been involved in the development and deployment of several software solutions in banking, telcom, government, including individual businesses. At Avante, I led the team that successfully deployed a Knowledge Management System for MTN Nigeria last year. Currently, I am leading the development of two other applications for Avante.

    In addition, I am also a founding partner and volunteer facilitator at LaurelInc Enterprise, an organisation that conducts application development training, corporate IT solution development and mentoring for would-be IT professionals. Here, I am passionate about promoting software development skills in Nigeria and I strongly believe that Nigerians have the potential of competing in the global market with our locally developed applications.

    For me, it was challenging initially and I worked with a team that was made up of all males. I had a lot of exposures learning from my male colleagues and I was exposed to a lot of architecture.

    Why did you decide to study Computer Science?

    Interestingly, I wanted to study medicine and not Computer Science. I applied the first and second time but I was not successful, and while I was thinking of what to do, my father encouraged me to try something else and he talked about Computer Science. That was how I fell in love with the course and ever since it has opened my eyes to the different opportunities available.

    How would you describe the impact of technology in our society today?

    Nigeria still has a long way to go. One of the challenges is the struggle with electricity; the networks still need to improve and give people value for their money. The online marketing aspect of it all is very exciting and it is making a lot of people to catch up with trends. One other advantage is that the cost of internet is cheaper now; this has helped our application of technology. We still have a lot of areas and applications that can be explored to change our fortunes positively.

    Why are female entrepreneurs not taking advantage of these opportunities?

    Unfortunately, a lot of women are not taking advantage of the opportunities that technology has to offer. Recently, at a forum organised for the social media week in Lagos, this was one of the issues that were discussed and the speakers dwelt on the fact that there were a few women in technology, especially in the software development side.

     The crux of the matter is that in the software development side, you need a lot of self motivation and self development to be successful. If you do not do this, then it would be very difficult for you to make an impact. Our society does not allow our women to work longer hours and this would definitely affect their productivity.

    A lot of people believe that it is only the male folk that can restrict themselves to their seats, work hard and are less social at work. Focus, discipline and dedication are required and it is therefore important to encourage our women to be focused as well as catch them young to make a difference. In addition, to all this, we have free mentoring for women so that they can catch up and compete with colleagues in different parts of the world.

    Does marriage play a role in all this?

    Having less women in the technological world is an imbalance that must be addressed. When I had an interview with my team lead some years back, the first question he asked was if I was married. I wanted to know why he said that and he told me that he didn’t want a married woman on board. I got the job and put in my best and by the time I was leaving, he said I was one of the best that had worked with the team. I believe that employers need to give more considerations to women. There was another speaker that I met who said she was the first female to be employed in her team. When she got pregnant, there was no maternity plan and they had to devise a maternity plan for her to work from home.

    What was the experience like when you got married?

    Initially, it wasn’t easy but I just had to adjust. Now, it’s easier with the support of my husband. Things have changed and the days of working till 9pm are over. I create a positive balance and take work home.

    How can women make use of the opportunities available?

    One of the things that I believe in is that in technology, you have to understand what your need and the technology that would be best for you. It could be the POS or the Business Intelligence system which I specialise in. Here, we are talking about a system that can help you measure your intelligence and there is always a technology that is important for your business. For those who are still dragging their foot or they are used to doing things manually, I would advise them to give technology a trial.

    How has working in this area changed your life personally?

    It has changed my life in different ways. I attend so many meetings and meet different people from different walks of life. The opportunity allows me to work with different groups and understudy groups like banks, hospitals and explore potential. This makes my horizon to broaden and learning for me has been a continuous process. A lot of those who did this usually marvel and wonder why they did not try early. As human beings, we are usually uncomfortable with change. However, the truth of the matter is that technology would make you do it faster, if you leverage on the internet, it would reach a wider audience.

    What are some of the challenges in the sector?

    One of the major challenges most people have is the total cost of ownership and also the fact that a lot of people dread change. There is always a solution that is better and return on investment would be higher. Also, there are a lot of half-baked technology experts, who cannot deliver what they promise. This led to the mindset that technology does not work and it creates a problem for those who actually know what to do.

    Tell us some of the highpoints in your career.

    For me, I have had several projects that I can refer to. One of such was when we successfully deployed a team to work on a Knowledge Management system for MTN. We had so many clients and it was done between a short timeline. I have so many like this and they all inspire and make me happy. In school, I got some recognitions and in one of such I was recommended for a training in Abuja. I was nominated with nine other colleagues for a one-year comprehensive training at the Digital Base Insitute on merit. In the next five years, I wish to be involved in the organisation that runs the best programmers boot camp in Nigeria.

    If you had to advise young career women, what would you tell them?

    If you want to come into this career line, then I would tell you that it is very good and there are opportunities here. However, you must be ready to work hard, get a mentor and you would be successful if you are determined.

    Who are the women that you admire?

    There is one woman that I admire a lot. She is Mrs Ibukun Awosika, my former boss at FBN Insurance. She was the chairman then, and I admire and respect her a lot. She is a woman that I wish that I could be like. At the beginning of my career, I got support from senior colleagues and I still go to some of them for clarifications sometimes. One of the things that I am working on is a conceptual thing to help females learn mobile applications.

    What motivates you on the job?

    One of the things that I do is that I read books a lot. I have an application on my phones which summarises a lot of the bestsellers. I grew up being a book lover and one writer that I really admire is James Caan. His messages focus more on entrepreneurship and living a work life balance.

    Who or what is the greatest influence in your life?

    The greatest influence in my life is God and next to him is the internet; I read and research every day on technology. There is no day that passes without my communicating with God in prayers or learning something new.

  • ‘Without women, music can’t work for you’

    ‘Without women, music can’t work for you’

    Kunle Fagbola and Kolawole Sanusi form the duo of Double K. Recently out with the video of their song, Kumanatale, the duo, signed under BW Records, is set to project their music to the world. In this interview with Joe Agbro Jr., they talk about their beginning and how they’re ready for the long haul

    HOW did you guys start?

    Kunle: Actually, we’ve been doing music for a long time now. He (Kola) normally comes to my place in Lafiaji area, Lagos Island. We do things together. We organise street jams, street shows. Professionally, we started two years ago. But we stay in the same hood. That was how we met. Right now, we have a new single which is called Kumanatale. And we also have a video for that song too. It was shot by Clarence Peters.

    Music now is like an all-comers’ affair. Anyone that can drop a little rhyme believes he or she can go into music. Why do you think you’re different?

    Kola: For me, I’ll say we didn’t get into music because we feel we can just do music. For us, music is something that comes to us naturally. It is more than just singing in your bathroom, thinking because you can sing, you’ll just go into the studio. It’s what we’ve been doing for a long time. And for us, there is a calling.

    When you say you’ve been doing it for a long time, how long exactly?

    Kunle: We’ve been doing music since we were in secondary school. That’s like ten years ago. We didn’t go to the same secondary school but he (Kola) normally comes to our school for music club. My own school (was) at Lafiaji which is on Lagos Island.

    How did both of you meet to say, okay, let’s start a group?

    Kola: well, it’s his (Kola) senior brother (that made it happen). We attended the same music club together. So, whenever we are having a music programme in our school, his brother is the president of that music club. So, he just called me back and said, ‘guy, my brother is into music, so, if you don’t mind, you guys can come up with something.’ So, the next day, he just invited him to our school and we met. So, ever since then, we’ve been trying to do stuffs together.

    So far, how has the experience of being in music been like?

    Kunle: For me, I would say it is good. But, it’s not that good. Before we came in, we thought it is something that we can just get there and get things to work. Once we are in now, we realise it takes a lot of hard work. There are a lot of people, there is a lot of competition out there. So, we need to work hard.

    And what’s really difficult about that?

    Kunle: It is spreading your music, for people to get to know you. Let me put it like this  Nigerians, we are used to the same kind of people that have been giving us the kind of music we want. Giving the new act the attention takes a lot of work because the people there are still working hard to stay there. So, you coming from behind, you have to work very hard. That is what I’m saying  spreading the music.

    How about on the show circuit?

    Kunle: It’s been good, I would say. Last year, we performed at Felabration. It was awesome performing on the same stage that Fela has performed on before. It was like a dream come true for us. I guess we’ll get there soon.

    Were you intimidated by the crowd?

    Kola: No, not at all. It’s something we’ve been used to. When we organise our shows, a lot of people come. So, we do our stuff. We just got on stage and do our thing.

    Have you performed in a place where people didn’t like you?

    Kunle: No, that has never happened to us. Anywhere we perform, we pull the crowd, even those hearing the song for the first time. That’s the kind of reaction we get anywhere we go.

    As you’re still up and coming and trying to breaking into the A-list of entertainers, what would you consider as your greatest challenge?

    Kunle: I would say the journey of a lifetime starts with a step. We’re coming out there and I believe, gradually, with the kind of songs we’re planning on dropping, in no time, people will get to recognise that these guys are talented. We have all it takes.

    So, what are the major challenges that stop up and coming musical artistes from realising their potentials?

    Kunle: Yeah, from me, I would say, they need to have the talent. And secondly, talent is not enough. You need money because without money, you can’t make it. That’s the truth about it. Apart from you being talented, you need a lot of connections too.

    Now, it is being alleged that a lot of artistes pay to have their songs and videos played by radio and television stations. How has your experience been like?

    Kunle: I don’t know about that because we have people in charge of doing that apart. We have people that go to the radio stations and deal with the people there. So, maybe they pay or not, I don’t know.

    Is music something you see a future in?

    Kola: Yes, for me

    If you were not doing music, what would you have been doing?

    Kunle: Business or playing football

    Kola: For me, right from day one, I’ve been a business man. I think if I don’t do music, I’d rather go for football because I’m good in doing that.

    Both of you play football

    Both: Yeah na.

    At professional level?

    Kunle: (laughs) No ooo. I’d rather be into buying and selling. Anything buyable and anything sellable.

    Let’s be specific here

    Kola: Me, I’m into buying and selling of building materials. That was what I was doing before music called me.

    Kunle: I like music business, anything music. So, if I’m not doing music professionally, I’d still be selling studio equipment.

    What plans are there of coming out with an album?

    Kunle: We are working on our singles for now. I won’t say we are dropping any album now. But what we’re trying to do is to drop more singles so that more people can know about us, that we can do stuffs, that this is what we are made of, before dropping our album. Because you can’t just come out from anywhere and drop an album. No. you have to drop some singles first for people to have to know you. So, our plan now is to drop another single and another video.

    To do what you’ve mention, you require focus and dedication, but distractions could come in different forms. How do you guys cope with distractions such as family or women?

    Kunle: for me as a man, I would say it is something you can’t do without. This is life and we have ups and downs. You just have to manage it. You just have to tell yourself that this is what I want. I need to stay focus. And you need to set your priorities right. For me, I think I’ll manage it all. This is life, anything can happen.

    Kola: I think it’s something you can never avoid because in the music business, you just have to carry women along. Without them, I don’t think music can ever work for you because they are the ones who are going to show you love out there. I think it’s really moving fine.

    So, is it that you don’t get distracted?

    Kunle: Not really. You can get distracted but you need to fall back on track. We’re humans and no one is perfect.

    How do you see Double K establishing itself as a group to be reckoned with?

    Kunle: For me, I would say, through our hard work and through the stuff we’re dropping and maybe very soon, people would get to know that these guys are talented and they’re a force to reckon with, in Nigeria and beyond. That is my belief. All upcoming artistes need to stay focus, never give up and believe in themselves. Also, our fans out there, we love them. They should keep supporting us.

    Kola: For people to get to know us in Nigeria and beyond. And also work with the big artistes in the industry. And be on top of the world. Upcoming artistes should first of all, put God first and believe that ‘this thing, we can do it.’ Never be discouraged by anybody around you. Be focused and always be yourself. Also, our fans should keep supporting us. Without them, there will be no Double K.

  • Aisha Buhari promises better deal for women

    Aisha Buhari promises better deal for women

    Nigeria’s in-coming First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari, said women would enjoy a better deal under the President-elect, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, as soon as he is inaugurated.

    This is conveyed in an Easter Message released in Abuja on Monday by Malam Garba Shehu, Director, Media and Publicity, APC Presidential Campaign Organisation.

    According to the message, the wife of the president-elect assured Nigerian women that they would witness a better deal when her husband formally takes office on May 29.

    It said: ”I wish Christian women the abundant blessings of the Easter celebration.

    “Nigerian women are among the hardest working social groups, but have remained economically and politically marginalised.

    “Under my husband’s government, honest labour and hard work would be adequately rewarded, while corruption would be fought aggressively.”

    She advised Nigerian women not to despair as the Buhari-led administration would spare no efforts to promote and protect their welfare.

  • Women inaugurate development centre

    Women inaugurate development centre

    Women of Christ Holy Church (CHC) International coprising members from Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Kenya, Liberia and Benin Republic have converged on Asaba, the Delta State capital, for the inauguration of the multi-million naira Women Development Centre.

    The project was executed by the women department of the church to help equip indigent members of the church with skills, with a view to scaling back unemployment, crime and youth restiveness, especially among youths.

    Trainees at the Centre will be instructed on making, among other things, different types of soap and bleach.

    Some of the personalities present at the event included the General Superintendent of the church, His Grace, Most Rev. Daniel C. Okoh, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Paulinus Akpeki, His Royal Majesty, Edmund Daukoru, Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom and his wife, Bishops and other clerics of the church in Nigeria and other African countries.

    The women, who were adorned in colourful uniforms, marched from Ezenei Road through Ogbogonogo and terminated at the venue of the occasion in a carnival-like occasion that attracted many admirers who thronged the city roads to catch a glimpse of them.

    The event, which served as the 2014/2015 Annual Women Conference/Dedication of the church also witnessed the launch of the maiden Women Musical Album which they recorded and produced.

    Various gospel groups, including the famous original band group of the church were on hand to add colour to the event as guests and church members danced to rhythm of the music.

    The three-day event witnessed activities such as Bible Studies, a Gala Night party at Grand Hotel, Asaba among other social activities to spice up the event.

    Speaking on the topic “Celebrating God’s Faithfulness”, the General Superintendent of C.H.C International,

    Most Rev. Okoh, thanked the women’s department of the church for executing such a wonderful edifice.

    He revealed that the women, in an attempt to eradicate crimes and poverty, among our children, built the Women Development Centre in order to train and educate not only Nigeria children but also children from all over the world.”

    Rev. Okoh further explained that the successful completion of the building project was a clear evidence of the manifestation of God’s promises to the founder of the church; the late Agnes Amanye Okoh, a.k.a Mama Odozi Obodo while she lived.

    The church’s General Superintendent and the chairman of Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), however advised the women to seek help only from Jesus Christ like the founder of the church, who he described as a woman of faith and a devout Christian did during her missionary work on earth.

    In her address, wife of the General Superintendent, General Deaconess Ngozi Okoh said the theme of the conference “You Will Build Houses and Dwell in Them” was an invitation to all the participants to celebrate the manifestation of God’s promises to all who believe in Christ Jesus.

    She thanked those who, in one way or the other, committed their resources in ensuring that the project was a reality. He expressed the hope that it would serve the purpose for which it was built, adding that the development centre would be open to people from all over the world.

    In his remarks, Mr. Paulinus Akpeki advised the women to continue praying for peace and unity of Nigeria.

    Highlights of the occasion were the unveiling of the founder’s statue, inauguration of the building and launch of C.H.C musical album.

  • Women surveyors counsel pupils

    In what seemed a mission to “catch them young”, female surveyors in Rivers State embarked on an enlightenment programme to educate the pupils of Holy Rosary Girls College, Port Harcourt on the importance of surveying.

    The female surveyors who are members of Women-In-Surveying (WIS), Rivers State chapter said that surveying is a lucrative course.

    Delivering a career talk to about 115 science pupils of the college, the Rivers State Coordinator of WIS, Mrs Amina Dienye, said: “Surveying is the first profession that God manifested after creation, because He had to distinctly position everything such as the sea, land and sky in well-defined positions.”

    Dienye also said no development project could occur without a surveyor since the positions of all items of structures must be clearly marked out.

    She also said the financial rewards of surveying would help them support their husbands and families meaningfully in future.

    Making their own contributions, a Chartered Surveyor, Mrs Abiola Madeparum; as well as Sally Akinrinola and Itekenah Akpanah recalled how they made their incursion into surveying.  They all said they were “grateful for being practitioners of such a worthy profession”.

    However, they urged the girls to work hard if they finally chose to read surveying.

    In a vote of thanks on behalf of the pupils, Miss Ruth Lawrence expressed gratitude and hope that the career talk would aid some of them to choose to be surveyors.

  • Empowering women entrepreneurs with ICT skills

    Empowering women entrepreneurs with ICT skills

    The role of information technology in business has been recognised globally. To acquiant women entrepreneurs with computer knowledge, the United States Consulate in Lagos has held a workshop for them. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    When Mrs Oreoluwa Somolu Lesi, founder/executive director, Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC), was  chosen to lead the forum on  equipping women entrepreneurs  with information technology skills, she was happy. This was because, in almost seven years’ existence, her organisation has made a mark in the technology industry.

    As an Ashoka Fellow and a recipient of the Anita Borg Change Agent Award, her commitment to computing in Nigeria is not in doubt.

    From designing mobile apps, software development, to digital advocacy for social causes of women, Somolu Lesi has been involved in imparting technological skills and literacy.

    Besides, she has been empowering young women to pursue careers in science and technology.

    Mrs Lesi worked for several years in the United States on some projects, which attracted more girls and women to study and work in science and technology-related fields.

    So getting women entrepreneurs to acquire ICT knowledge was a familiar terrain for her.

    Addressing the Entrepreneurship and Technology Development Workshop for Women in Lagos, Mrs Somolu Lesi said IT skills would help women entrepreneurs contribute to the development of the economy.

    This is because ICT-based tools help entrepreneurs get better access to information on upgrading products and services as well as the management of business.

    According to her, no company can succeed on the long-term without its owners and staff using technological tools.

    As the world is moving towards an ICT-based society that demands new skills and new ways of working, interacting and learning, she said women entrepreneurs needed to take advantage of the trend to not only use technology in their businesses but also to become the technology creators and innovators of the future.

    Towards this,  her organisation is developing training modules to ensure more women acquire ICT skills.

    The Head, Projects Solutions Department, Union Bank Plc, Binta Adesida, said it was important women entrepreneurs adopt and use ICT to strengthen their businesses and become more effective.

    According to her, ICT is indispensable to the economy.

    She noted that many women’s businesses are now using ICT to connect with their customers, sell products to new markets, forge contacts and obtain market prices.

    With ICT, she said entrepreneurs could access key sources of information, explore  opportunities to build networks and take  advantage of the increasing number of online and web-based mobile-assisted learning tools.

    Public Diplomacy Officer, United States Consulate-General, Lagos, Rhonda Watson, restated her countrys’commitment to encouraging  women-led enterprises and entrepreneurs.

    According  to her, ICT offers  opportunities for SMEs  to  grow their  businesses, adding that there  are  innovative business models using  platforms,  such  as  social media, smart and feature phones, computers, tablets and other ICT solutions,  to  run effective and profitable businesses in rural and semi-urban areas.

    Technology Programmes’ Coordinator, W.TEC, Modupeoluwa Darabidan,  said it  was important  small business owners employ  mind maps  to  manage  workflows.

    According to her, a mind map is one way to organise information into an efficient and creative  manner. She stressed that entrepreneurs needed to create real and meaningful value for their clients. Entrepreneurs at the initial stage of  their businesses need to keep growing and dreaming big.

    Darabidan also hinted that small businesses could use Microsoft Sharepoint services to share documents and information, and that this could help the project run more smoothly.

    According  to her, there are tools, such as drop box, which companies  can use to manage movement  and exposure of documents.

    Increased business investment in ICT, she added, would contribute to productivity gains.

    To become more productive – to create the prosperity Nigeria wants and needs – she said the economy needed women entrepreneurs to embrace  innovation  in their business strategy.

    According to her, the online platform is an integral part of support for entrepreneurs, adding  that there are  now  portals  where  people  can  order  items.

    The forum was organised by the United States Consulate in Lagos.

    At the event, participants learnt how to put together a business plan, move their ideas from conception to fruition.

    They  also learnt about the business building process, engaging in exercises to help them think critically of their business idea.

    Participants shared and explored new opportunities and business ideas, and presented a working strategy on how they would take steps to enhance their use of ICT.