Victoria Mgbanwa
Odyssey Educational Foundation has called on the government and other Education Stakeholders to support Girls in Tecnology and Innovation.
The program Director, Odyssey Educational Foundation, Mrs Stella Uzochukwu Dennis, made this known during the Technology and Entrepreneurship Program for girls in Abuja.
She urged the government to provide funding to support Girls in ICT.
“We believe that the government should key into this program. We did not receive funding from anyone , we will be happy if we get support from the government.
This is the 8th year of our program, when we started the first year, we had 3 teams right now, we have over 60 teams.
“We need all the support we can get, Nigeria has the highest team . We want to ensure that most of the Apps come to light, and maybe on Google playstore”, she said.
According to the Program Director, the initiative is aimed at finding local solutions to our challenges.
“We are trying to address major challenges in the society or in our community through the creation of different apps.
The girls are building Apps that can solve issues in their immediate environment.”
The Representative of the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education who was also present at the Event applauded Odyssey Educational Foundation for hosting the program.
“The event is an avenue for exposing young girls in STEM Education amd also to encourage the girls to improve on their coding skills.
“I want to commend Odyssey Educational Foundation for holding this laudable Technovation, Visional Tech Event that exposes young women in STEM Education.
“Nigeria need your talent, your ideas and your passion, step confidently into the world of STEM Education to boost your endeavours.
“I want to assure you young ladies that the Federal Ministry of Education is in support of what ever you are doing here, and we are going all out to encourage you people so that you will not feel you are left alone.
According to the representative, the Federal Ministry of Education has deviced many programs that will bring girls in tech to limelight.
Miss Chidima Ude one of the Girls who created an App called “Obaabge” with her group explained how the App can support farmers overcome post harvest loss in Nigeria , and also aid in nurturing and optimising harvest yields.
The First Secretary, Public Diplomacy Section, Embassy of the United States of America, Peter Burba, said the embassy has been providing support to encourage girls in ICT in Nigeria.
“Nigerian girls have a long history of success, and that is why we are supporting the program.We have been working with the convener for several years being an alumni of Tech Women Program of the Consulate”, he said.
The Technovation competition had more than 100 young girls from Secondary Schools in the Federal Capital Territory.
The program was designed to bring about creative ideas of girls battling with climate change.
Nigeria has the highest number in the number of apps submitted in 2024 competition .
