First lady calls for women to be digitally literate

Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, emphasised the value of digital literacy and how it helps women achieve economic independence on Friday in Abuja.

At the Renewed Hope Initiative RHI/NITDA Women Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Training Empowerment Programme concluding ceremony for 35 women from the Federal Capital of Abuja, she made this statement.

At the conclusion of the training, the first lady gave each of the ladies a stipend of N100,000 and a new laptop, noting that “these skills are indispensable tools for driving growth and innovation.”

Furthermore, it is crucial to underline the value of digital literacy and how it promotes economic freedom.

These abilities enable women to take charge of their lives, give back to their communities, and seize chances in a technologically driven society.

“As we celebrate this program’s successful conclusion, I want to congratulate each and every participant. You have demonstrated fortitude, tenacity, and a thirst for information that will unquestionably put you on the route to success.

The first lady was earlier praised for providing the recipients with the chance and access to study, network, acquire skills, and receive financial help for starting up by the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Abdullahi.

The first lady was thanked for using her passion project to support women, children, and disadvantaged Nigerians.

“The participants, your daughters graduating tonight, are bringing five key lessons home with them.

“They all possess digital literacy and ICT competence, enabling them to use digital platforms responsibly and safely. They also possess digital marketing expertise, enabling them to use social media to market their goods and services.

“They are also educated on how to participate in the gig economy; they acquired knowledge on how to use productivity tools, work remotely, and earn money.

The first lady has decided that NITDA and Renewed Hope Initiative should work together to develop a national strategy for digital gender inclusion so that women can enjoy the same benefits from the digital economy as men.

He added that NITDA and RHI would work together much more to support and encourage more women to develop digital resilience.

The Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, also promised to collaborate with RHI to make sure that the training is made available to as many women as possible around the nation.

He said that the programme supported several aspects of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including the inclusion and empowerment of women.

“Our mother, the first lady, your unflinching dedication to advancement and empowerment has outlined the course for change for every member of this cohort,” said the first lady.

I’m a strong believer in the idea that we need to empower women because they are compassionate. This is an initiative that we aim to partner with you on to truly scale tremendously.

“It is about the good for people and not about egos when you have women around you, which is why the role you are playing in society with the initiative Ma is very important.”

The minister also thanks the NITDA DG and his staff for their assistance in making the plan a reality.

He added that the constructive roles that women are playing in society are essentially beneficial to the expansion and advancement of any society.

The unique creativity and invention that can improve every part of our lives are unlocked by empowering women.

“It is generally known that when women have equal access to educational opportunities and resources, this alters the trajectory of economic growth, social cohesion, and sustainable development.

The plan was also in line with two of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda’s main areas, the first of which was investing in the digital economy to give Nigerians access to new talents.

Some of the participants said the training was unique, eye-opening, and a huge help in their lives.

The trainings’ use of digital tools and connection, according to lead facilitator Mr. Mayowa Ajiboye, also broke the participants’ perceptions of what was possible.

Miss Nkiru Ogbuli, a graphic designer who received assistance, thanked the first lady for upholding her commitment to empower women.

She claimed that the programme had broadened her perspective and provided her with options she had never known were possible.

Promise Ogbuehia, a makeup artist who is also a recipient, said the training is advantageous not only for her but also for the students she would later teach in order to have an impact on them.

The women are the program’s initial group of participants. RHI and NITDA collaborated on it. (NAN)