By Joy Baba Yesufu
First lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has called for women’s full participation in the digital revolution, through access to technology.
The first lady further said technology has become a positive tool in the world, shaping everything from communication and commerce, to education and healthcare.
She made the call in Abuja, during the handover ceremony of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) digital economy centre in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investment Programme.
The first lady who was represented by Salametu Gbajabiamila said there was a need to recognize the indispensable role of technology in advancing gender equity.
She said “therefore, in the evolution of the digital economy, our women must not be left behind. Continuous training, access, and exposure to technology can open new opportunities, providing greater access to employment and thriving businesses.
“Presently, we are witnessing remarkable progress from our girls and women in the digital space, and it is truly inspiring. As we strive towards building a more Inclusive and equitable society, I urge all the beneficiaries to take full ownership and maximize the learning advantages offered by this centre.
In her address, Director General of Maryam Babangid National Centre for Women Development (MBNCWD) Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir said training and Economic Empowerment of Women are critical to the realization of the mission of the Center, as our focus is to improve the lives of Nigerian women, especially those in the rural areas through sustainable development programs to make them productive and self-reliant.
She said it is common knowledge that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5 aims to achieve gender equality to empower all women and girls through the use of ICT.
According to her “for women the world over, Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) can be leveraged for personal security, better access to education and jobs, financial inclusion, and access to basic healthcare information. But benefits such as these rely on women having meaningful access to ICT which can be facilitated or prevented by several factors, including affordability, relevant content, skills, and security.
“The provision of the Digital Economy Centre to MBNCWD is timely as it will boost our capacity to reach out to more women; especially those in underserved communities, so they can take advantage of the Digital Resources provided, to actively learn, innovate, and participate in a digital economy.”
