Women professionals under the aegis of Vital Voices have called for more female students to pick interest in becoming entrepreneurs as well as studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related courses in higher education.
This was the message from Nigeria’s version of the Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walks, embarked on by professional women in Lagos to mark 2019 World International Women’s Day.
Speaking to BusinessDay after the walk, Ibilola Amao, principal consultant of Lonadek, said the walk, which was held in partnership with Vital Voices, a Hillary Clinton initiative that promotes women empowerment, was aimed at encouraging women to step up their games in area of leadership, entrepreneurship and professionalism.
“We want the girls to understand that STEM education is not for men alone. This is why those of us, who are already there and have achieved something, needs to support others by exposing them to the opportunities in various industries where we work including energy, power, infrastructure, oil and gas and manufacturing,” Amao said.
According to her, “The female child can either become a successful entrepreneur or professional in order to become a leader, adding that the mentoring walk to Yabatech was to tell the young girls about future outside the learning institution, about jobs, career and opportunities beyond studying to pass examines”.
“Becoming successful goes beyond passing examines to secure jobs. We believe that if you have a mentor, transition from higher learning to work place or entrepreneurship will become a lot easier. It is basically connecting women to other women to serve as guide to the younger generation,” she added.
Amao, who advised the girl child not to be limited by her environment or the people around her, said there is need to encourage young people to see beyond classroom teaching to thinking on how to run business and become professionals.
“We post free IBM technology courses here for those who want to go into Data Analysis, Coding, Web Development and Mobile App. We give free coaching to enable female students to develop further. Before graduation, you can start doing something to earn extra support. We help in the area of career counselling, industry awareness and empowerment,” Amao added.
On her part, Oluseyi Afolabi, a trained engineer with 35 years’ experience in oil and gas sector, who noted that a lot of young girls run away from Mathematics, Technical courses because they feel Engineering and Technology are for men, said there is need for girls to give themselves the opportunity inherent in studying STEM courses.
