The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has expressed its commitment to expose girls and young women in the country to opportunities inherent in Information and Communications Technology.
The telecom regulator expressed this commitment during a sensitization campaigns held in Abuja as part of activities to join the rest of the world in marking the 10th anniversary of Girls in ICT Day 2021.
The sensitization campaigns were held separately at Government Girls’ Science School (GSS), Kuje and Nobel Hall Leadership Academy, Abuja. It also held events in its zonal offices across the country in furtherance of its commitment to promote the empowerment of young women through ICT.
“We have a commitment to the promotion and empowerment of young women and girls in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the country,” Head, Internet Governance at NCC, Tokunbo Oyeleye said while addressing participants at Nobel Hall Academy.
She said the annual event is a testimony to the importance the Commission places on the need to expose girls and young women to more opportunities in ICT as well as address their cybersecurity concerns.
Conveying the felicitations of the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, Oyeleye said the theme of this year’s edition of the programme, “Connected Girls, Creating Brighter Futures’’ aptly underscores the growing importance of the need for an environment that encourages young women to acquire requisite digital skills to attain their future aspirations.
“The Commission aligns with the ITU’s Resolution 70, which advocates gender mainstreaming and promotion of gender equality, empowerment of women through Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
The Commission has consistently used the platform to encourage Nigerian girls to venture into ICT careers. “Hence, we sensitise students in secondary schools on how the NCC, as the telecom sector regulator, is creating a safer space for girls, by raising awareness on digital skills, gender-based violence as well as developing initiatives for the protection of children and girls’ rights online,” she said.