The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has urged the 300 participants of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) and Huawei “Women in Tech” training programme to leverage their new skills to create positive change in their communities

The first lady made the call in Abuja on Thursday during the closing ceremony of the Women in Tech training programme for women entrepreneurs across the six geopolitical zones.

The training programme is a digital empowerment initiative by the RHI in collaboration with HUAWEI Technologies Company aimed at equipping female entrepreneurs with practical technological skills to scale up their businesses.

It is also aimed at helping women to participate meaningfully in the digital economy and become champions of digital transformation in their communities in order to enjoy more economic development and inclusion of the current administration.

Mrs Tinubu, while addressing the participants, said, “Although the training has ended, technology keeps changing. Your biggest strength is your ability to keep learning, evolving and adapting to new trends available for your growth in technology.

“Use your new skills to solve real problems in your various communities, because true innovation is only valuable when it improves lives. Remember, you are part of a larger network; support one another and grow together. I thank HUAWEI Technologies Company Limited for this collaboration with the RHI, finally, I charge you all to mentor others in your various businesses. Be a guide for young girls and women who think technology is not for them.”

The first lady further reiterated that the initiative aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu aimed at promoting inclusive growth and digital empowerment for all Nigerians by accelerating economic diversification through industrialisation and digitisation.

“When women are equipped with the right tools and knowledge, they become agents of change in their families, communities, and the nation at large. The Women in Tech training programme was conducted between April and October 2024, and has successfully equipped 300 women with essential digital skills to help them thrive in today’s evolving, technology-driven world.

“I congratulate all the participants, representing diverse sectors such as agriculture; fashion; catering; retail; event management and technology services, drawn from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria,” she said

Mrs Tinubu said that the participants reflected the diversity and strength of Nigerian women, ranging from university students eager to step into the world of digital economy, to business owners seeking to expand their enterprises through innovation.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Huawei Technologies, Chris Lu, appreciated Nigeria in partnership with RHI of the first lady.

He said the programme was beyond what could be described as just a training but a training where women can take their rightful places at the forefront of digital economy globally.

“Today, we are experiencing a world of opportunities and innovation where technology defines progress. Empowering women with digital skills is not just a matter of inclusion but a necessity for national progress, and we know when women rise, nations thrive.

“Over the past one year, we have witnessed something inspiring where women across the six geopolitical zones came together to learn, innovate and to embrace technology.

“To our finalists, you’re all ambassadors of digital innovation and change; please go forth and impact others in your communities. Let us remember that the Renewed Hope is a reality where we all need to build together,” he said.

Also, the director-general of the National Information Technology Development (NITDA), Kashifu Abdullahi, described the programme as appropriate to the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr Tinubu.

He acknowledged Mrs Tinubu and Huawei for the training, saying, “Mr Chris said when you empower women, a nation rises, and I want to add to it that when you empower a man, you empower an individual, but when you empower a woman, you empower a nation. Your initiative resonates deeply across the nation, and every organisation is proud to associate with you. We thank you for the leadership and partnership, and in NITDA, we don’t take it for granted.

“Therefore, today, we are not just celebrating the participants of women in tech training, but we are celebrating ambassadors; we are celebrating families and communities.”

He commended the First Lady for the initiative and for supporting the government, saying, “Your Excellency, thank you for your visionary leadership. Through RHI, you are driving women empowerment, youth empowerment and Nigerian empowerment.

“We always want to partner with you for human capital development, for me today, we are creating a triangle of hub, we have the vision set by our mother, Mrs Tinubu to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind especially the women and youth.

“We have our partner, Huawei Technology, empowering us with the tools and technology that are globally recognised with certificates that can be taken anywhere to succeed in life. We also have the national strategy, which is deeply rooted in our President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Therefore, this training aligned perfectly with the national strategy,” he said.

Mr Abdullahi also advised the participants to use this certificate as a key to the world and to promote their businesses.

“Don’t be afraid to be the first in your community and to be the best, ” he said.

Each zone was represented by one participant each for the handing over of certificates as follows: for S-E (Imo), Euphemia Augusta; for S-S (Delta), Chiagozie Efe-Ovirie.

Others are S-W (Lagos) Yusus Hats, North Central (FCT) Amos Marvellous, N-E (Adamawa) Bakari Betis and N-W (Katsina) Binta Charanchi.

(NAN)