BY: Justice Godfry

Technology firm, Technology Distribution (TD) Ltd. has urged young females to embrace opportunities inherent in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.  

The Coordinating Managing Director, TD, Mrs Chioma Chimere gave the advice on Thursday in Lagos, during the ”This Is Me – The Tech Talk”, programme organised by the firm to mark the International Girls In ICT Day (#GirlsInICT), celebrated on fourth Thursday in April annually.

Chimere said that the opportunities in the ICT sector are avenues to enable the female gender express themselves. 

”The girl-child should pursue a career in ICT because the opportunities are limitless, and it gives her the platform to be herself, to express herself and also be a woman, a wife and a mother at the same time.  

”I think the opportunities are there already, because the ICT industry is such that admits its kind, it is attractive. So long as you are mentally prepared for it, then you can harness the opportunities. 

”Most times it is not a question of educational qualification. You don’t have to be an Electrical Electronics Engineer or a Computer Engineer to find a career in ICT. I am a graduate of English Language and Literature and. I have been in IT for 23 years. 

”So it goes beyond what are studying. it is for people who are open to change, people who are open to do things and people who are open to dynamism. 

”Our industry is very dynamic. So any woman who is hard working and dynamic in character would flourish naturally in ICT,” she said. 

Chimere said that the company had gathered over 150 girls from Senior Secondary 2 (SS2) to try to expose them to the opportunities that lie within the ICT space. 

According to her, the programme goes beyond ICT, as a lot of girls are struggling with other things that are way beyond career. 

”So today we are having talks about loving yourself, talks about the perspective of a man, and then we are having a highly acclaimed CEO give them her story of her growth from grass to grace. 

”This is so that the girls understand what life is all about, so that they can start young to create values and live by those values. 

”This is our contribution to our society, to mold the young girl and get her prepared for the huge task that is ahead,” she said.  

Earlier, the Head of Marketing, Konga, Chidalu Ekeh urged the girl-child to always love herself, so as to break barriers.  

Ekeh said that ”Loving Yourself” was a journey, a process that needed to be nurtured.  

She said that the female gender should apply the principle of potentiality, hence, to continue searching, looking for a better way than the way she presently had.  

”In accepting your flaws, don’t forget to appreciate your strength and laud your accomplishments. 

”You have to be yourself and ensure you are a positive person, hold on to your dreams and be flexible,” Ekeh said. 

The Managing Director of Hewlett-Packard (HP), Ify Afe said that women must learn to grow each other. 

”If you feel we are not given the opportunity to stand up, then for no reason should you stunt a fellow woman,” Afe said.

Also speaking, the Channels Director for W/Africa, Schneider Electric, Mrs. Rita Amuchienwa, advised the 150 participants drawn from different schools in Lagos, to be diligent in their studies, and embrace skills that will enable them fit-in into the 21st Century workplace.

International Girls in ICT Day, an initiative backed by all ITU Member States in ITU Plenipotentiary Resolution 70 (Rev. Dubai, 2018), aims to encourage and empower girls and young women to consider studies and car​eers in the growing field of ICTs,​ enabling both girls and technology companies to reap the benefits of greater female participation in the ICT sector.

Source: techeconomy.ng