Dotun Roy
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Social Good Nigeria has unveiled “The PopUp Incubator Project, a project targeted at developing the capacities of techies, entrepreneurs, young professionals and most importantly to promote women and girls’ involvement in Information Communication Technology Sector in Nigeria. The unveiling took place in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory today, 23rd April being the International Day of Girls in ICT across the world, young school girls from Lead British School, Abuja and professionals in ICT were in attendance.
The Project which is in collaboration with Swedish Embassy Abuja and Enspire Hub Incubator, top ICT firm in Abuja will be commencing its pilot programmes at Technology Villages in 6 major cities across Nigeria, namely: Abuja, Jos, Lagos, Warri, Oyo, Kano.
Social Good Nigeria PopUp Incubator is expected to enhance the capacities of those who are in love with Techie activities such as programming, coding, web designing as well as social networking with Nigeria having the highest number of users in Africa. Part of our focus is to also see increased women and girls’ involvement in the ICT sector in Nigeria, said Esther Agbarakwe, Co-Founder, Social Good Nigeria.
According to Swedish Ambassador in Nigeria, Svante Kilander, while addressing the participants, he said, “Swedish embassy believes so much in women participation in social entrepreneurship and as part of corporate responsibility we have taken it upon ourselves to be part of a project as this”. Already Sweden has strong Policy Reform on Gender Equality and Feminism. Therefore, this collaboration could serve as Foreign Policy Reform project in Nigeria, he affirmed.
Omasan Ogisi, Software Engineer, Ericsson West Africa, was one of the guest, speaking at the event, she recounted her experience as a young woman who ventured into ICT industry early. ” I could remember I was the only girl in my class back then amongst men. I was a timid girl but determined to succeed” she rose from being Software Engineer at Ericsson to become Regional Head Corporate Responsibility Ericsson, West Africa. “It wasn’t easy, but with determination and hardwork I got it” she alluded. She however, encouraged school girls at the event to hold on to their dreams and never give up irrespective of the intimidation particularly from the opposite sex.
Panel discussion session on ‘how to improve women and girls’ participation and involvement in the ICT sector in Nigeria moderated by Esther Agbarakwe had panellists comprised Bankole Oloruntoba of Enspire Incubator, Ize Adava and Omasan Ogisi had intense deliberations on the ways to overcome low representation of women in ICT industry in Nigeria.
Few challenges were identified such as societal views on gender equality and misconceptions around girl child on the part of most parents. Strategies to overcome these challenges were highlighted such as adequate sensitisation and advocacy on girl child’s right as well as support for gender equality policy.
See more pictures below:
