By Emmanuel Ikpe, Uyo
No fewer that 500 women across Akwa Ibom State are to benefit from skills acquisition on digital economy, digital communications and entrepreneurship.
A non governmental organization, Youths Alive Foundation (YAF) Africa disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday.
The Executive Director of the organisation, Dr Uduak Okon told newsmen at the opening session of training for 100 beneficiaries in the first batch of the program held in Uyo, the state’s capital.
Okon, a seasoned development entrepreneur said the programme was borne out of discovery that male folks dominate the digital space, as such, needing to bridge the gap by training more women to compete with their male counterparts.
She added that about 52 per cent of women with access to the internet are yet to utilize the tools available for them, noting that the training was organised to address this trend.
The development expert further noted that Government policies are not sufficient to protect the digital skills, and this has resulted to brain drain.
She said that the NGO is out to empower more women to fill in the gap, even as the need for more enabling environment and opportunities should be created by government to meet this aspiration.
Senior Special Assistant to Akwa Ibom State Governor on Entrepreneurship Development, Mr Ime Uwah noted on his part, said the world has since changed with the internet.
He emphasized that today, businesses can be carried out from home with no physical office, if only the people are willing to key into the digital space.
He expressed the readiness of the state government in providing security and safer environment like the establishment of Ibom Entrepreneural Development Center for intending digital economists to be trained on how to do their businesses digitally and otherwise.
Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor on Brand Marketing, Mr Raphael Edem emphasized in the need for women who have access to the digital skills for knowledge and value addition to themselves, family and society.
He said there is need for deliberate attempt to empower women in this direction.
He commended the NGO for setting the pace already.
Beneficiaries of the programme which was also supported by Airtel Nigeria, were taken through basics of computer.
The trainer, Mrs Enoabasi Emah who spoke on Empowerment for knowledge for personal and business development, took them through the digital market, data analytics and videography.
The state’s Commissioner for Women Affair and Social Welfare, Dr Ini Adiakpan represented said trainees should embrace ICT in view of its vast opportunities to close the gender gap and jumpstart their businesses.
