Dr Wummi Hassan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), High-Tech Centre for Nigerian Women and Youth, an NGO, on Tuesday said women have critical role to play in the advancement of technology in the country.
Hassan said this in Abuja at the Nigeria Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Summit tagged: “NigFiSTEM’’ holding from March 6 to March 8.
She said the summit which is part of the celebration of Women Day held every March 8 was for women and young girls to put heads together to look at problems in technology.
“International Women’s Day is celebrated ever March 8 in many countries around the world.
“It is a day when women are recognised for their achievements without regard to divisions, nationality ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.
“International Women’s Day first emerged from the activities of labour.
“This particular week has been dedicated to celebrating women, for us as an NGO, we thought through the fact that we needed a change in Nigeria.
“So we brought together women and girls in the secondary or primary schools in FCT to look at problems in their environment and to see how they can collaborate with others to advance technology.
“Nigeria has taught us, we may not get it fully as people complain that the curriculum are not enough now that we have known what we know so we have to create solution .
“We want to bring the girls and women together to see how they can become producers of technology and innovators as technology is a driver of change,” she said.
Hassan said it was quite depressive most times to find out that lip service or low attention was being paid to the development of our industries
According to her, to develop a nation, its industrial base must be sound, so this programme has gathered women and girls to see how we can advance technology for national development.
On her part, Hajiya Ramatu Kamal, Deputy Director FCT Education Board, said the board was encouraging female students to embrace science subjects.
Kamal said STEM was planning to organise an award for female students in science across the country.
Some of the participants at the summit told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the summit will go a long way to help them pay more attention to science subjects.
Miss Mercy Anator , Student Junior Secondary School, Jabi, said she hopes to leave the summit with the knowledge that girls can change this generation.
“I want to go home with the impression that change begins with us.
Miss Ngozi Ufum. Student of Government Secondary School, Lugbe, said the summit will help her in her future ambition of becoming a dentist.
