…Supports Digital Education of Girls, Donates Computers to participants

The Girl-Woman Initiative for Sustainability and Education (GWISE INITIATIVE) held her 3rd Annual Girls’ Empowerment Conference in Owerri, the Imo State capital on Thursday 12th Octobet, 2023, at the conference hall of Villa Garden Hotel, Owerri.

The event which was themed, “HARNESSING LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL IN GIRLS THROUGH DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY” targeted young girls aged 13 to 21 years. Over 300 participants from 15 secondary as well as post secondary institutions in Owerri and environs attended the event. In the opening remarks, the Program Director, Engr. Chibuikem Diala, pointed out that GWISE was in Owerri to empower young girls so they can take their rightful place in the scheme of things, being that women have a key role to play in solving most of the problems bedeviling the society.

In her welcome message to guests and participants, the Executive Director of GWISE Initiative, Mrs Nikky Nkeiruka Nzekwe outlined the core objective of the organization as “to significantly support girls and women to reach their highest potential through all round qualitative education, inspiration and empowerment, so they can become more effective in their God- given roles as future mothers and leaders.

She enumerated the thematic areas of GWISE INITIATIVE to include: Girls’ Education and Growth, Leadership and Inspiration, Health and Wellness, Empowerment/Poverty Eradication, Mentoring and Entrepreneurship as well as Moral and Social Development.

Speaking further, the Executive Director informed the audience that the conference is an inter-generational platform that was creatively designed to bring together girls of diverse backgrounds with professionals and role models, with a view to ignite, inspire and support the next generation of females to maximize their potential and become leaders and agents of change in their families and societies.

On behalf of the Team and Volunteers of the organization, she expressed deep appreciation to all sponsors, collaborators, volunteers and partners of the 2023 Girls’ Empowerment Conference.

In her speech, the keynote speaker, Hon. Justice Alma Eluwa, pointed out that technology has permeated every sphere and facet of life, that it becomes compulsory for every girl/woman to embrace it in order to adapt to current realities. She stressed that the gap between opportunities for men and women have in past years improved considerably, yet emphasized on the need for more to be done toward attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No.5 which is to “achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.”

While affirming to the participants on the need to take advantage of the opportunities digital technology has provided to increase their knowledge, learn new skills and connect and interact with people of similar positive ideology, she also cautioned against unguarded/irresponsible use of digital technology. She charged the girls to not just aim at having good role models, but to work toward becoming good role models to others.

The 2023 Gwise Girls’ Empowerment was in collaboration with SAGE NIGERIA and in an address presented on behalf of the Chairman, Mr Agwu Amogu, he affirmed his organization’s continued commitment to the promotion of technology based entrepreneurship among the youth.

The event which featured guest speeches, interactive sessions, tech projects competitions, quiz competitions, cultural displays, awards and prize giving as well as other dynamic performances, had in attendance, dignitaries who graced the occasion in support of young girls.

During the presentation of winning tech projects by the finalists of the TechSHERO pre-conference competition organized by SAGE NIGERIA in collaboration with GWISE INITIATIVE, the SIFED Tech Team of Marist Bicentenary College, Ngor Okpala, Imo State emerged winners after an impressive showcase of their “COMMUNITY FINANCE PROJECT”; an online crowd funding platform with a mission to help people living with disabilities to start and grow micro-enterprises.

The project is set to solve the huge problem of lack of start-up- capital experienced by people living with disabilities as well as preserve their dignity as they stay off the streets as beggars. Their counterpart, Team Pearlville of Pearlville Secondary School Avu, Owerri, Imo State emerged the 2nd placed team with their “VIRTUAL SCIENCE SYSTEM PROJECT” , which is a web-based platform that will enable students who do not have standard science laboratory in their schools, to access standard practical classes, in line with Federal Government School Curriculum. The project will make it possible for users to view, access and learn from previously uploaded practical classes. Both the 1st and 2nd placed winners went away with mouth watering prizes and scholarships courtesy of SAGE NIGERIA.

The prizes and scholarship opportunities which were extended to 40 students from both winning schools (20 per school), include Web Development/Python course, Entrepreneurship and Finance Literacy Course, I year mentorship, Incubation opportunity for any member of both teams who is ready to start their business as well as Scholarship opportunity to study at Cyprus International University.

Another high-point of the conference was the keenly contested GWISE Quiz Show, which featured mathematics, basic communication and technology based questions. Miss Orji Chizara, a UB 3 student of Marist Bicentenary College, Ngor Okpala emerged the first prize winner, while Miss Okedimma Joy Esther of Methodist High School, Ikenegbu, Owerri took the 2nd position. Miss Anebunwa, Favour Munachimso also of Marist Bicentenary College, Ngor Okpala emerged the 3rd placed winner. While the 1st and 2nd placed winners went home with brand new HP Laptops each, from GWISE INITIATIVE, courtesy of Prof. M.K Okorie, the 3rd placed winner bagged a 3-month scholarship to the GWISE Tech. Academy to study a Tech. skill of her choice.

The Executive Director of GWISE INITIATIVE used the opportunity of the conference to announce plans to set up GWISE Leadership Clubs in Schools to further strengthen the organization’s efforts toward imparting leadership and social skills as well as mentorship to more young girls.

Roll call of distinguished guests at the conference include Hon. Justice K.A Ojiako, Hon. Justice A. Eluwa, Hon. Justice S. Opara, Hon. Justice K. Leweanya, Hon. Justice Ijeoma Obichere, Hon. Justice V. Onyeka, officials of Imo State Branch of FIDA, Directors/Heads of Schools, officials of government agencies, and representatives of some non-governmental organizations.