Benue State – As the world pushes for gender balance in all sectors, the Ngodoo Development Initiative (NDI) has taken a significant step forward by hosting its second edition of the GirlTECH program.
This year’s event, dubbed “GirlTECH 2.0,” aimed to empower young girls aged 14-23 with IT soft skills, emphasizing the myriad of opportunities available in the male-dominated tech sector.
Building on the success of last year’s program, this edition of GirlTECH, held in commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, was a three-day intensive training workshop.
It attracted numerous girls who eagerly filled out the application forms and joined the training, armed with nothing more than a smartphone and a passion for tech.
Participants at the GirlTECH 2.0 by the Ngodoo Development Initiative.
The opening day, October 16th, saw the program’s convener, Tyona Rachel, challenge the participants to pick a specific skill from the sessions, hone it, and then apply it practically in the tech realm. The day was filled with informative sessions like digital marketing, facilitated by Urban plug, and a copywriting class headed by Miss. Glory.
The momentum didn’t drop on the second day, October 17th, as the participants dived deep into a product photo shoot lesson led by Ninobreezy. This was then followed by a session on drop shipping, facilitated by Orngu Anngu. Both sessions were enriched with visual illustrations, making learning both fun and effective.
The program’s climax was on the third day. The attendees were enlightened on the art of blogging, a session conducted by Jidetheblogger. This wasn’t just a day of learning; it was also a day of recognition. The closing ceremony saw guests, including the esteemed Rt. Hon. Cephas Dyako, member of the Benue State House of Assembly representing Konshisha constituency. In his speech, he lauded the participants’ dedication and applauded the NDI for their visionary step towards introducing young girls to the tech world.
Certificates of participation were then handed out, a fitting close to a program that didn’t just educate, but inspired.
In an era where tech stands as one of the globe’s leading industries, programs like GirlTECH play a crucial role in bridging the gender gap. With their newly acquired skills, these young women are not only prepared for the challenges of the tech world, but they are also poised to redefine it.