The Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World, Umudike branch, has urged female students in the country to embrace Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for good.
The branch coordinator, Prof. Mabel Onwuka, appealed during the 2025 International Day for Girls in ICT at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU).
“By so doing, you will be advancing your academic careers and boosting your self-esteem,” noted the director of the Centre for Gender, Youth, and Child Development at MOUAU
Onwuka also encouraged them to use technology to aid their studies and acquire skills that foster confidence and self-reliance.
She described the event’s theme, “Utilising the Opportunities in ICT,” as timely, noting that participants should use social media and digital tools for personal growth and leadership development.
Speaking, the executive director/chief executive officer of the National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Prof. Chiedozie Egesi, charged them to “network with like-minded peers and enrol in ICT courses to diversify your skills.”
Egesi, represented at the occasion by Dr. Ann Nkeiru Kanu, described ICT as a “goldmine” that remains underutilised in the country and other developing countries.
In a comment, the guest speaker and vice president of the Students’ Union Government, MOUAU, Miss Adaoma Oka, underlined the need to avoid the negative use of social media.
She encouraged them to use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to build personal brands and promote creative skills such as cooking and fashion, demonstrating the synergy between ICT and creativity.
In her address, Dr. Ngozi Achi, a branch member, charged them not to be discouraged by the country’s current economic challenges, as starting small with ICT ventures could eventually lead to global recognition.
Prof. O.M. Obike, another member and chairperson of the organising committee, contributed to the conference by stressing the necessity of ICT integration across all fields of study.
Similarly, Dr. Ogechi Obiozor, also a member, pointed out that digital skills can provide versatile opportunities across industries, encouraging students to seize these possibilities for their benefit.
