From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
Inits effort to address the digital gender gap and empower girls in technology, Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has advocated that females be included in ICT.
Speaking at the inaugural Nigerian Girls Can Code Competition Award Ceremony yesterday in Abuja, Danbatta noted that gender inequalities are still pervasive in all societies and added that women lack access to decent employment opportunities, deal with occupational segregation, and experience gender wage gaps.
Danbatta who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services Communications Commission Engr. Ubale Maska observed that empowering women and girls will fuel thriving economies, spur productivity and growth.
He said, “Every year, young people from around the globe use different lends of tools to showcase their ICT will. We believe that critical societal problems can be solved using technologies such as artificial intelligence, internet of things and data analytics Application of these emerging technologies in agriculture has the potential to increase both the operational efficiency of farmers and the yield of the land. There is also an increased possibility for targeted application of farm inputs and resources thus reducing cost and increasing yields. It will provide competitive edge needed by farmers in terms of accurate decision- making, improved productivity, and efficiency”.
According to Danbatta, the continuing rollout of the 5G network in Nigeria will create limitless chances for girls in ICT.
In his own speech, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services Communications, Engr. Ubale Maska said that the competition was created to primarily empower Nigerian females and pique their interest in ICT as a career path by mentoring them in the creation of codes and applications.
He noted that the competition sought to address the issue of digital inequality, promote equity, and reduce the digital gap between men and women in ICT.