The University of Lagos (UNILAG) Branch of the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) has pulled all the stops to ensure the girl child is educationally and practically equipped for the ever-evolving world of digital technologies.
The Organisation held a robust and enlightening Capacity-Building & Debate Competition on Digital Technology for Secondary School Girls in celebration of the 2023 edition of the International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC).
According to the Coordinator, OWSD, UNILAG Branch, Dr. Taofikat A. Adesalu, in preparation for a grand event on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 (the date girls are celebrated globally), the organisation swung into action in August 2023 by inviting girls from several senior secondary schools in Lagos State, Nigeria to participate in the capacity building and debate competition geared towards the year’s IDGC theme: “Digital Generation. Our Generation”.
Subsequently, girls representing different secondary schools went through a selection process, after which they were extensively groomed in robotics, internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) under the supervision of Dr Chika Yinka-Banjo of the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Lab (AIRLAB), UNILAG. Following this, there was an elimination process and then the semi-finals were held on Thursday, September 21, 2023.
On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, girls representing six (6) senior secondary schools, who triumphed from the semi-final rounds and their school teachers; members of the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World, UNILAG Branch; representatives of the event sponsors; volunteer tech tutors from UNILAG AIRLAB (UNILAG students); other UNILAG student volunteers; and guests gathered at the Faculty of Science Boardroom, University of Lagos to witness the innovative creations of these refined young ladies and listen to their debate at the grand finale of the competition.
Reeling out activities of the organisation in past years, Dr Adesalu commended members of the organisation, Dr Stephenie Alaribe and Dr Abosede Ebabhi for coordinating a webinar on cholesterol in July 2023. In the same vein, she gave special recognition to Dr Toyin Owoyemi, the Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee for this year’s International Day of the Girl Child celebration and warmly appreciated all members of the LOC for their commitment to the successful actualisation of the event.
The coordinator also expressed the organisation’s profound gratitude to the sponsors of the event: Vitafoam Nigeria Plc.; Adbond Harvest and Homes; Bridge-D-Gap Initiative; and WAMCO Nigeria Plc.
The girls gave presentations on their innovations, highlighting the benefits, the business feasibility and what sets their innovation apart from other competitors in the market. In addition, the 6 schools each had a 3 girl-team give a demonstration of how their proposed product works. The schools and product titles in the order of presentation were:
- Wesley Girls’ Senior Secondary School, Yaba —> Vote Ease Application
- CMS Girls’ Senior Grammar School, Bariga —> Automated Plant Watering System
- New Era Girls Senior Secondary School, Surulere —> Smart Trash
- Lagos City Senior College, Yaba —> ECO-City
- Ransome Kuti Memorial Senior Grammar School, Mosalasi-Mushin —> Creating Awareness on Google Classroom
- Eva Adelaja Girls’ Secondary School, Bariga —> Security Alarm Project
The girls also debated on the topic “Technology and the Intellectual Development of the Girl Child: Is the Impact Positive or Negative?”.
In the debate session, the girls were graded according to their fluency in speaking, making Omoniyi Tomishewa from Lagos City Senior College and Jeremiah Amarachi from Eva Adelaja Girls’ Secondary School winners of that round.
Ultimately, Eva Adelaja Girls’ Secondary School, Bariga emerged as the overall winner of the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child “Capacity Building & Debate Competition on Digital Technology for Secondary School Girls” organised by OWSD, UNILAG Branch. The girls that represented the school were: Okegbola Treasure, Adeniran Favour, and Jeremiah Amarachi. Each got an Android phone, a water bottle, a note, a pen, a gift pack from the Bridge-D-Gap Initiative, 3 months of scholarship training at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Hub of the University of Lagos (NITHub) and certificates. Their School was awarded a plaque. In addition, for clinching the overall first-place (1st) position, the founder of Bridge-D-Gap Initiative, Opeyemi Makanjuola, promised to give a free sexual abuse prevention talk at Eva Adelaja Girls’ Secondary School, Bariga.
In addition, two girls from Eva Adelaja Girls’ Secondary School, Jeremiah Amarachi and Adeniran Favour, won a 300-square-metre plot of land for themselves courtesy of Adbond Harvest and Homes. The presentation of the prize was carried out by the General Wealth Manager of the company, Mrs Catherine Nwagu, who represented Mr Adekoya Oluwagbemiga, Founder/CEO, Adbond Harvest and Homes at the event.
The second-place (2nd) position was won by Wesley Girls’ Senior Secondary School, Yaba. The girls that represented the school were: AbdulKareem Ganiyat, Okolie Praise, and Okonkwo Esther. Each got a smart wristwatch, a water bottle, a note, a pen, a gift pack courtesy of Bridge-D-Gap Initiative and certificates. The school was awarded a plaque as well.
Lagos City Senior College, Yaba came third (3rd) place in the competition. The girls that represented the school were: Oti Ezinne, Omoniyi Tomishewa, and Afia Mercy. Each got a power bank, water bottles, a note, a pen, a gift pack courtesy of Bridge-D-Gap Initiative and certificates. The school was awarded a plaque.
All other participants from CMS Girls’ Senior Grammar School, Bariga, New Era Girls Senior Secondary School, Surulere, and Ransome Kuti Memorial Senior Grammar School, Mosalasi-Mushin got consolation prizes.
“The digital realm is not just a space for ones and zeroes, it’s a space for dreams, aspirations and the immense potential of every girl child.”
Dr Olusoji Adewumi
This was the crux of the guest lecture delivered by Dr Olusoji Adewumi, cyber security expert and senior lecturer at the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
The lecture, entitled; “Empowering the Girl Child: Digital Technologies and Opportunities”, underscored the importance of creating opportunities for young girls in the shifting world of digital technology, the available opportunities and how parents and guardians can help steer these young minds in the direction of effective and judicious use of the boundless access the internet affords them.
Dr. Adewumi outlined the importance of digital empowerment as providing: enhanced access to information; economic opportunities; social inclusion; education; innovation; and healthcare.
According to him, the gap in the provision of access to digital opportunities stems from poverty, education levels, socioeconomic barriers, cultural and societal norms, and lack of resources or infrastructure.
Enumerating about fifteen (15) scopes covered by digital technology and viable opportunities available for the girl child, Dr Adewumi elucidated the crucial role the creation of these opportunities will play in the advancement of society and also highlighted the threats therein.
Some of the threats he warned the girls and other participants against were: online harassment and cyberbullying; privacy concerns; digital addictions; and gender stereotypes. Dr. Adewumi posited that threats to digital opportunities will increase as exposure to the opportunities grows. Consequently, he advised that continuous efforts be channelled into ensuring that the girl child remains safe while accessing digital opportunities for social good.
For this, he commended the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), UNILAG Branch for its commitment to being visible role models and mentors to the young girls even after the competition. He revealed how inspiring it was to see the tremendous progress in the girls who participated in the competition and thus expressed his hope that many more girls would benefit from such opportunities.
Rounding up his lecture, Dr Olusoji Adewumi urged all stakeholders to take a moment to reflect on how the digital landscape can be used to enhance the skills of girls and empower our future.
Professor Rosemary Egonmwan of the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, UNILAG, who was present at the event in her capacity as Chairman, Board of Directors of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc., one of the sponsors of the event, commended the organisation and its members. She advised the girls to make good use of the skills they had developed from their experience in preparing for and participating in the competition.
She charged them to seize the opportunity of being mentored by OWSD, UNILAG branch to become the best versions of themselves. She prayed that they all grow to become capable and dependable women who will one day, take over from the present OWSD members and inspire more women to come.
The event, which also had in attendance the Chairperson of OWSD Board of Governors, Professor Winifred A. Makanjuola and the pioneer Director, Safeguarding Centre, University of Lagos, Professor Mopelola A. Olusakin, came to a close with the presentation of prizes and award and group photographs.
