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Women Are Catalysts for Citizen Development and Corporate Prosperity in Nigeria

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By Joanna Baidu, Youth Lead, PMI

The embracing of citizen developers by the IT industry could herald significant changes to the development of Nigeria’s digital future. But will this future involve more women? Joanna Baidu, Sub Saharan Africa Youth Lead at PMI, says citizen development could well be the opportunity to attract more women to use their experience and build applications through cloud-based, low-code, no code platforms.

One of the reasons the International Girls in ICT Day was conceived was to draw attention to the critical need for more inclusivity in the tech sector. The gender disparity in the ICT workforce is glaring all over the world. Hence, this year the focus is on creating safe and reliable access to the internet and digital tools for women.

Inclusion in the tech sector has been a long-standing conversation, generating varied opinions and perspectives. It will take employers’ eagerness to develop both grassroots and in-house technical skills of women and men to fill the existing gaps in the sector.

Male dominance in the Nigerian tech sector is evident from the under representation of women in the top ranks. Of the 93 tech firms surveyed by the ONE Campaign and the Center for Global Development, only six had a woman in a top management position. Worse still, more than one-third of the surveyed tech firms employed no women.

Furthermore, a youth survey by the National Bureau of Statistics, reports that young men are almost twice as likely to have a career in computer science and technology-related fields as women in Nigeria.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, in Nigeria, women make up on average just 22% of the total number of Engineering and Technology university graduates each year. According to the same source, women make up roughly a fifth of people working in the information and communication technology sector.

Project Management Institute (PMI) believes that structured citizen development programmes that open the IT development field to everyone, including women, will help companies drive inclusivity. The introduction of citizen development can help bridge the talent gap and accelerate digital transformation in Nigeria because everyone can contribute to tech solutions without necessarily learning to code.

On the back of connected devices, the citizen development movement has spurred innovation in software development. The low code, no code tech that anyone can use has companies turning to it for fast app development and deployment. Moreover, the arrival of citizen developers has alleviated the pressure on IT departments, leaving people with more formal IT qualifications to focus on mission-critical and core programming.

Encouraging employee participation in technology development must not come at the cost of security lapses, data breaches, and governance risks. Citizen development efforts must comply with security standards and be guided by a governance strategy that sets requirements for secure applications to be created outside the IT function.

“On the positive side, more technically aware and enabled people in the workplace will undoubtedly contribute to reinforced awareness and safer operational procedures. This means that organisations can capitalise on employee knowledge about company needs to produce enhanced outputs,” says Baidu.

The potential for well-governed, corporate-driven citizen development is unlimited. Helping women develop new skills and reducing traditional gender gaps through structured citizen development programmes can advance a company’s market performance and profitability.

“Technology is an increasingly important part of our daily lives. Movements like citizen development must be supported and fostered across organisations and educational institutions, so women and girls get an early start. The prospect of artificial intelligence having the same gender biases as humans can turn into a reality if we don’t encourage more inclusivity in ICT,” concludes Baidu.


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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Meet ADU Candidates 2024: ITREALMS collaborates with Awba-Ofemili Chatroom

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The international multiple award-winning, ITREALMS Media group, is collaborating with Awba-Ofemili ChatRoom to organise a week-long ‘Meet ADU Candidates 2024’ on social media for the forthcoming Awba-Ofemili Development Union (ADU) general elections aspirants.

At press time, Awba-Ofemili ChatRoom boosts of hundreds of indigenous membership from the rice producing community in Awka-North of Anambra State, both locally and in diaspora, whereas ITREALMS is a media entity with clouts in the usage of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to entrench digitalSENSE in the society.

Speaking on this collaboration, the Editor-in-chief of ITREALMS Media and publishers of ITREALMS Online, Sir Remmy Nweke, said the initiative is to afford all indigenes of Awba-Ofemili the opportunity to meet with some key aspirants, who aspire to any elective positions during the 2024 general elections, especially from the secretariat to presidency.

The weeklong ‘Meet ADU Candidates 2024,’ Nweke pointed out, would afford aspirants to reach ndi Awba-Ofemili in one room both home and abroad, share their manifesto to over 200 members of the group.

Additionally, he said aspirants would be able to take constructive feedback to enable them gauge the expectations of ndi Awba-Ofemili.

Also, he said that the session would be hosted in collaboration with the leadership of Awba-Ofemili ChatRoom on WhatsApp from Monday 25th through Thursday, March 28, 2024.

Nweke, who would be moderating the session, said it offers aspirants the possibilities of leveraging social media to engage and market themselves to teeming youths and every eligible adult in the town and diaspora for the forthcoming ADU general elections slated for Monday, April 1, 2024 at Awba-Ofemili Civic Center.

ITREALMS Media group www.itrealms.com.ng pioneered this in 2021 as part of our contribution in endearing peace and democratic education, among other tenets to help the good people of Awba-Ofemili make informed decision and have a sense of direction in building Awba-Ofemili we want,

Equally speaking, the chief administrator of Awba-Ofemili ChatRoom, Mr. Fred Nweke said that the ‘Meet ADU Candidates 2024’ sessions are expected to enable participants set agenda and interact with aspirants in various offices not limited to Secretary-General, Vice President-General and President General for this year.

He urged every indigene of Awba-Ofemili to use the medium to interface with aspirants and provide relevant feedback they could use after their elections.

Recall that in year 2021, ITREALMS Media group, pioneered ‘Meet ADU Candidates’ as part of its contribution in deepening peace and democratic education, among other tenets to help the good people of Awba-Ofemili make informed decision and have a sense of direction in building Awba-Ofemili they want.


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Ghanaian Musician, Stonebwoy, Stars on Glo-sponsored African Voices Playmakers

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This week’s edition of the Glo-sponsored African Voices Playmakers, a magazine program of Cable News Network (CNN) is featuring the unique talent of Ghanaian Afropop and reggae star, Stonebwoy.

In an honest interview with CNN’s Larry Madowo, the 36-year-old, whose real  name is Livingstone Etse Satekla, claims to be the “King of Afro-dancehall.” He serves as the CEO of the Accra, Ghana-based musical ensemble Burniton. His commitment to bringing the Black diaspora together via his musical genre serves to further his fame.

Stonebwoy is no stranger to awards. In 2015, he won the Best International Act: Africa title at the BET Awards and the Artist of the Year title at the Ghana Music Awards, among other honors and recognitions. In addition, he received two Billboard plaques and Boomplay’s Golden Club plaque for garnering a staggering 100 million streams on the site.

He was included by YCEO and Avance media in their list of the 2019 50 (fifty) young CEOs. The list was established in 2018 to recognize outstanding young people who are dedicated to offering answers to some of Ghana’s issues. “Happy Death Day” and “My Name Is Ramadan” are two high-profile films in which Stonebwoy has acted.

African Voices Playmakers will be shown on DSTV Channel 401 on Saturday at 7.30 a.m. with repeat broadcast the same day at 11 a.m. Further rebroadcasts will be on Sunday 3.30 a.m., 6.00 p.m. and on Monday at 3.00 a.m. The edition will be repeated next week Saturday at 7.30 a.m., 11 a.m., on Sunday at 4.30 a.m., 7.00 p.m. and on Monday at 4.00 a.m.

 


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Safeguarding the Source: World Water Day and the Crucial Role of Home Water Filters

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As we commemorate World Water Day, the global focus on the significance of fresh water highlights the urgent water challenges confronting our planet. With escalating scarcity and pollution endangering our water sources, it’s time for individuals to step up, taking center stage in addressing this issue.

The spotlight now illuminates the transformative potential of home water filters, which not only helps reduce the usage of single use plastic water bottles but also leads to a more sustainable lifestyle Access to clean, safe water is not just a privilege; it’s a fundamental human right.

In the face of mounting global water crises, home water filters emerge as a beacon of hope, offering a tangible solution to ensure the purity of our most precious resource.

The World Health Organization warns of the grave health risks posed by contaminated water sources, underscoring the urgency of securing a safe water supply. Investing in home water filters isn’t just about personal health; it’s a collective commitment to safeguarding public health and well-being on a global scale.

QNET, a global lifestyle and wellness focused direct selling company, and staunch advocate of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). With a firm dedication to sustainability, QNET has pioneered a range of products that not only meet ethical manufacturing standards but also leave a positive impact on the planet.

In the quest for clean water, home water filters emerge as unsung heroes, diligently working to strip away impurities and contaminants, delivering a steady flow of clean, safe drinking water directly to your home.

Trevor Kuna, Chief Transformation & Reputation Officer at QNET, emphasizes the company’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and the UNSDG, stating, “Home water filters offer a sustainable and eco-friendly solution, reducing our reliance on single-use plastics and promoting responsible water consumption.”

Introducing QNET’s HomePure range, featuring the revolutionary HomePure Viva and HomePure Nova. These state-of-the-art home water filters boast a cutting-edge 9-stage water purification system, effectively eliminating an astounding 99.99% of bacteria and viruses, ensuring water that’s not just safe, but pristine.

Kuna also stated that “Investing in home water filters isn’t merely a personal choice; it’s a powerful statement in support of global water conservation efforts.

By embracing sustainable water practices at the grassroots level, we can ease the burden on our planet’s water resources.

World Water Day serves as a poignant reminder that every decision we make, including the choice to install a water filter, ripples outward, shaping the health of our planet”.

As we mark World Water Day, let’s take a moment to contemplate the indispensable role water plays in our lives and the weighty responsibility we shoulder in preserving this invaluable resource.

By adopting home water filters, we take proactive steps to safeguard the health of our families and pave the way for a future where clean water flows freely for all generations.

Together, as conscientious custodians of our planet, we can rewrite the narrative of the global water crisis, forging a path toward a sustainable, healthier world for all.


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