GIRLS IN ICT

KILL THE CAPTAIN, BORN THE BRIDGES - GIRLS IN ICT

Dear women of excellence, vibrant youth of the ages, I can never be intimidated women of substance. I greet you all in the spirit of oneness and doggedness.

 I am here today, to remind you of how special you are and how the ICT World needs you to survive.

 Why do you think it is impossible to be creators of technology, promoters, and decision makers in ICT. Do you know that the first computer programmer was a woman; Ada Lovelace, born in 1815. She invented the Analytical Engine at age 26.

Another remarkable woman is Joan Clarke; a mathematician who attended Cambridge University. She was the only female recruited to break the Engine Code. She was recruited as one of the greatest code-breakers who braked the Nazi's code and helped the United Kingdom win World War II. History remembers a renowned Patron of women in technology.

Today, we have two powerful women leading some of the biggest STEM companies in the world; Facebook and IBM. Sheryl Sandberg the Chief Operation Officer (COO) of Facebook and Ginni Rosetta, the President and CEO of IBM respectively. Forbes named Sheryl Sandberg the most powerful woman in the tech sector 5th year running.

Now, let's talk about some Nigerian women where I came from. I am so proud sharing this with you. In Nigeria, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, women make up on average just 22% of the total number of Engineering and Technology University graduates each year.

Women Impacting Nigeria (WIN) celebrated some Amazing Nigerian female doing wonders in the world of "STEM" and I am proud of them as well.

1.  ADORA NWODO

She is a first-class graduate in computer science from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She started her software development journey with Neukleoss as an intern in 2016.

She has lot of volunteer experience with so many organizations including, Andela, Full Stack Developers (Lagos), and Microsoft LEAP Apprenticeship.

Adora is a software Engineer at Microsoft, she has a high level experience in Artificial Intelligence and Mixed Reality. She is also the Co-founder of Unstack Africa.

2.  WENDY .A. OKOLO

She's a Nigerian-American aerospace research engineer. She works with the Intelligent System Division as a sub-project Manager at NASA Ames Research Centre. The first Black woman to obtain a PHD degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is also the Special Emphesis Programs Manager for Women at Ames.

Wendy is a research engineer in the Discovery and Systems Health Technology (DASH) She describes her sisters as her heroes because they taught her the science with thier day-to-day realities.

3.  PROFESSOR FRANCISCA OKEKE 

She is the first female professor of Physics in the eastern part of Nigeria. She was elected as a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, the highest scientific organization in Nigeria. Inducted into the academy alongside Abba Gumel, a Professor of Mathematical biology and fellow of the African Academy of Sciences.

Professor Francisca advocates for the wider participation of women and girls in science and technology.

Sharing thier story doesn't mean they didn't encounter challenges, but the major thing is that they didn't allow thier challenges to defined thier future.

What is your story today, what challenge are you encountering or has encountered that made you feel is not for me, or is not worth it, or I wouldn't understand.

Yes, you are very correct to say they had parental, family and support from friends. Note that they also had rivals.

My advise for you today is to think of how to make your dreams come into reality. The way forward is to surround yourself with "Positive like-minded individuals" that share your dreams and aspirations, "Role models and Mentorship", Networking Opportunities; virtual and Physical meetings, conferences and events.

We need you to be a Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cyber Security Specialist, Web Developer, IT Project Manager, UX/UI Designer, Cloud Computing Specialist, Artificial Intelligence Engineer, Healthcare, STEM fields, Educators, and so forth.

I join in the voice of Professor Francisca Okeke assertion:

       "Our voices, our perspectives are needed to solve the complex challenges facing our world today".

The best advice I can give is the one shared by Dr. Omowunmi Sadiq. In her words:

       "My best career advice is to find an area where you can define questions and where you can make an impact. Choose questions at the frontiers of current thought. Never be afraid to make tough choices and challenge conventional thinking. Look at your challenges as opportunities. Be persistent, practical, and patient, and see beyond your limitations. Remain humble and content to enjoy your success and live with your failures. Don't limit yourself by where society places you or how you are classified. I have always believed as a Nigerian American, if you're not called to sit at the table, create your own, and look for ways to pay back to the community. Science accelerate when it is shared".

 I look forward to celebrating You, You, You, and You. Happy International Girls in ICT Day.

References

1. Https://en.wikipedia.org

2.Https://www.forbes.com

3. Https://wteconline.org

4. womenimpactingnigeria.org