Nov

23

From November 25 to December 10, the Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC) will organise a seminar series for secondary school students to commemorate the international 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

During the 16 Days campaign, civil society organisations all over the world highlight the issue of gender-based violence through a variety of activities.

One aspect of gender-based violence, which is closely related to W.TEC’s mission, is the role of information technology in perpetuating and promoting harassment and violence against women. Recent incidences include harassment of women on online discussion forums, sharing of private information via mobile phones, video-sharing websites like YouTube and social networking sites like Facebook.

We recognise that breaches of security affects many young people – both girls and boys – who are eager to explore the benefits of these new tools but who might have little knowledge on how to protect their personal information online.

To address this knowledge gap, W.TEC will be speaking at several Lagos-area secondary schools on “Staying Safe Online.” This workshop series will highlight many of the risks posed when online and provide tips to prevent many of these threats from occurring.

Oct

21

There was an ICT stakeholders’ forum held on the 22nd September, 2011 at City Hall, Lagos.

As a stakeholder with an unending interest in Information Technology and how it can be better used to empower women and girls, W.TEC had 2 personnel in attendance at the forum.

These personnel had the key responsibility of disseminating information as it happened at the forum to a large audience on Twitter.   The twitter handle for the coverage was #ngmct.

In attendance were the President of the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), the former Executive Chairman of Nigerian Computer Society (NCC), The VC Nigerian Courier Ass., DG NOTAP, Mr. Kayode Shobajo CEO/ Chief Technopreneur Council Member CPN, Mrs. Florence Seriki -MD Omatek, Mr. Henry Adekunle Stock Exchange Commission (SEC) , Ms. Barbara James Chief Inspector Venture Capital Ass. , Mr.Olutoyin Director of Strategies CBN, Mr Pius Okigbo –ISPON, a representative from the National Information Technology Development Aency (NITDA), Chief Bintan Famutimi amongst other stakeholders.

Goal: To inform the stakeholders of the mandate of the ministry and to have a roundtable discussion on the creation of a digital economy and information society in Nigeria.

There were two speakers at this forum:

The first speaker was Mr. Bill Best, CEO Centre Illumination who spoke on:

Stimulating Broadband Development in Nigeria

The second speaker was the Honourable Minister of Communication Technology Mrs. Omobola Johnson who spoke on:

Roadmap on Creation of a Digital Economy and Information Society

Conclusion

The Minister concluded that the Ministry would act as a hub for the ICT industry as a whole removing the segmentation of the existing industries, and regulate all the sectors of the various information industries.  Said we should grow our ICT industry by partnering with countries that have made a success of their own ICT industry. The Road map is looking at what we have on the table & how we can bring it to standard to what is obtainable in the developed world and use a Cadre to monitor activities in the various sections of the industries.

Afterwards, there was the roundtable discussion & further suggestions which the Minister noted was already covered in her presentation and the in-house research work

Further suggestions can be submitted at:

Roundtable@commtech.gov.ng

The workshop materials can be downloaded at http://commtech.gov.ng/downloads.html

Aug

29

The week of the Camp was, honestly, the most productive and also most pleasant week of my stay in Nigeria. We had to supervise girls almost 24 hours a day and we had quite a lot of work but it was a nice kind of work. And thanks to that I didn’t have time to miss my family and friends :) Sometimes during the classes I was really surprised when the girls were asking about EVERYTHING – some of them were using computer for the first time! But the bigger problems they had at the beginning, the greater was our satisfaction when they finally succeeded in their work.

I was seriously impressed with girls’ enthusiasm and energy. One day, after my session on Skype I was quite tired and hungry so I said “Thank you” and went to the dining room to have lunch. About 20-30 mins later, when I came back to the lab, they were still sitting in front of their computers, fascinated with the new program I showed them! They even didn’t noticed that their free time was running by! ;) However, I have to say that not always was this energy pleasant for me.. Especially when I wanted to sleep and all the girls were still dancing, chatting and listening to music – sometimes until 3 a.m.!

There was also one more aspect of the Camp, I really liked – the food! The cooks were just great and they always took care about me (as a vegetarian) so I didn’t have to eat only plain rice or pasta. Therefore I was able to taste moi-moi (special portion for me, without fish :) ), stew without meat and other delicious traditional dishes.

With all the activities and attractions the week passed very fast. I wished the Camp had been longer! But after it we were talking about the possibility of organizing two Camps in one year and – who knows – maybe in 2012 :) If the flight from Poland was cheaper, I could come here only to participate in the Camp!

Now there are only few days left of my stay in Nigeria. Some things I found disappointing, some – surprising and some, of course – very nice. But the experience of visiting so far and different country can’t be compared with anything else and even described with words. Besides everything, I am sure I will really miss all the friendly people I met here. However, now I feel happy to go back to Poland and meet my family, friends and my boyfriend again. Two months is a really long time!

(https://picasaweb.google.com/102996534624978842822/Afryka5WTecCamp?authkey=Gv1sRgCKn4-prGqsG9Zw – link to the pictures I took during the Camp)

 

Jul

25

By Kasia Skolik

Last Thursday I went to a trip to Calabar. It was an Aiesec event organized to create an opportunity for the interns from different countries to meet together and present some facts about their national culture. We left Lagos in a group of four students – every one from different continent! So there was one  Nigerian friend, girls from Columbia and China, and me – from Poland. We were traveling by the bus nearly 13 hours! The trip was a bit tiring but not so bad since the funny driver was trying not to let us get bored J In the end, we came to Calabar at 8p.m. and we were waiting another 4 hours to log in the hotel! However, it was the first chance to meet other Nigerian and non-Nigerian Aiesecers.

On Friday we had to wake up very early again, because they had planned a really long journey around the Calabar. During the whole day we visited The Old Residency Museum, The Drill Ranch, Kwa Falls, the Millennium Park and finally – The Tinapa Water Park, where we could relax and have some fun. I really enjoyed the trip, especially The Drill Ranch. It is a small animal sanctuary, where many drill monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas and other endangered species live.  When we got back to the hotel, everybody was so tired that we only talked for a while about our impressions about Nigeria, internships, food etc. and went straight to our beds!

Next day, fortunately, we were free to sleep a bit longer. About noon we started the main event of the weekend, called the Global Village. All the interns prepared some symbols and souvenirs from their countries. We also had to sing our national anthems and present some unknown facts about our nations. I was really happy that there was another guy from Poland so it was easier to answer all the questions together. I brought only the Polish flag, but Alex was better prepared – he had a bottle of special Polish vodka, called Bison Gras Vodka. Obviously, when it came to ask the questions, watch the souvenirs and take some pictures, everybody was most interested in our “souvenir”! J The bottle became empty very soon but Alex was pouring it in really small amounts so nobody got drunk. After that we danced some Nigerian dances and the event was over.

In the evening someone came to the idea of visiting the place where you can eat dog’s meat. Of course, I didn’t want to taste it but I was curious if they would really do it so I decided to come with them. My first impression of that place was that it looked like the perfect area to make the horror movie. Dark place, old wooden building and the voices of screaming dogs all around – seriously terrifying! We almost decided to go back to the hotel, but the curiosity was stronger. And eventually, nearly all my friends there tasted the dog’s meat and, what is more, enjoyed it..! For me the whole trip was a bit horrible.  But in the end – it doesn’t make a difference if it is the meat of dog or any other animal..

When we came back, the party has already started. We were dancing, tasting local palm wine and talking to the late hours. Our bus to Lagos on Sunday was leaving at 6a.m. and my friends didn’t sleep at all, they went to the bus station straight from the party! It was impressing for me but I had to go to bed and sleep at least a few hours.. We was traveling for almost the whole day again and I came home very tired, but also happy and full of new experiences, things to talk and write about!

Jul

19

By Kasia

Many things have happened since I published my first post here! It was just one week, but I’m already much more confident and familiar with living in Lagos. Yesterday it was the first time when I got to work by myself. It may not seem to be a very big success but I was really proud of myself! However, my colleagues are still a bit worried when I am traveling alone…

I also enjoy walking along the market and looking or trying the local products. There are so many things which I don’t know there! People around me should get used to my constant questions: “What’s this? What’s that? How does it taste?” J

I have already tried some traditional Nigerian meals. They are really spicy for me but also very tasty! My host likes cooking (just like me) and she teaches me sometimes how to prepare local dishes – I love this lessons! One thing I don’t like about Nigerian cuisine is the fact that almost every meal contains meat or fish.. So I am toying with the idea of making my own, vegetarian versions of Nigerian meals J

On Saturday I went to the beach with some other interns from different countries. We had very nice time and the weather was surprisingly hot and sunny. Honestly, I didn’t expect it at all and my skin became red like a tomato! Fortunately,  it’s much better now. After visiting the beach we went to the party, organized by two Polish guys. They are fantastic and for me the opportunity to talk to them in Polish was just great J The party was a bit crazy, as there were many people from all over the world – Americans, Brazilians, people from Columbia, Ukraine, China, India, France etc. Some of them are students on the internships and some are already working and living here. Although they come from such different places, they are all really social and open-minded. Meeting them was an amazing experience for me!

With so many new impressions I have to write e-mails or talk on Skype to my parents, boyfriend and friends almost every day. Not only are they no more worried about but they start to be jealous about my all experiences J I hope to feel so good here or even better for all the time I will be staying in Nigeria!

Jul

17

Deadline: 15 August 2011

ESSAY COMPETITION: Looking at ICTs and agriculture in Africa through the eyes of women and the youth. Enter the competition to win EUR 1000 and join NEPAD’s 10th Anniversary!

The New Partnership for Africa‟s Development (NEPAD) Agency and the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA) have joined forces in celebrating NEPAD‟s 10th Anniversary. It is within this context of reflecting over the advancement of the African development agenda, that the two institutions are jointly organising an essay competition under the theme; “Looking at ICTs and entrepreneurship in agriculture and rural development through the eyes of women and the youth”. This contest also falls in the framework of CTA activities on Youth, Women and ICTs. In line with these objectives, CTA and the NEPAD Agency are searching for enthusiastic African young people (writers, journalists and other youth), who want to demonstrate their abilities by examining these issues.

The Awards recognize excellence across a number of categories centred on the attraction, retention and progression of youth, women‟s and African talents to further the African development agenda.

Visit the Writers Africa website for more information.

Jul

13

My name is Kasia (it’s a short form of “Katarzyna”) – an AIESEC intern from Poland in the middle part of Europe. I am going to work for W.TEC for about 2 months. Visiting Africa was always my dream and now I have a great opportunity to see it on my own eyes and get to know it!

I’m staying in Nigeria only for 3 days now. So everything is still very strange and new for me. When I came here, on Monday  late evening, the city was still (or maybe already?) extremely loud and lively. I was shocked to see so many cars driving by and people selling everything everywhere. In Poland it’s just impossible!  I still can’t get used to taking busses and other kinds of transport here. Every day I need somebody to pick me up to work and back from it. Fortunately, they are really patient with me! And I hope I will get more familiar with this huge city soon and be able to travel on my own.

I noticed that there are not many white people here in Lagos. And for this reason some Nigerian citizens tend to stare at me when I come by.. Now I am the strange one! Even my roommate, another intern from AIESEC is black. She is a girl from Ghana, by the way – really nice and friendly.

I’m very curious about Nigerian cuisine since I really love cooking. I am a vegetarian and I was afraid it will cause a problem with my feeding here. But I have already talked to some people who told me there was a big variety of food in Nigeria and I could be sure to find something for me. I really hope so and I can’t wait to try some traditional Nigerian meals – without chicken, beef or fish, of course! I will write about my impressions  for sure.

Although I have so many doubts and questions now, I am sure everything will become easier for me in a few weeks. Everybody around me tries to make me feel safe and comfortable. I would only like them to speak as slowly and clearly as possible – as the English language I was taught is so different from the one you use!

Jun

20

Jun

20

The Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC) is currently accepting applications for it’s forthcoming Girls Technology Camp. Please nominate promising young ladies and share widely.

Kind regards,

Oreoluwa Somolu
Executive Director (Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre – W.TEC)

—–

Now in its 4th year, the W.TEC Girls Technology Camp is an initiative aimed at helping girls develop an early interest in computers and other information technology. The long-term goal is to increase the numbers of women working with and using information technology productively for professional and leadership activities.

This educational camp will take place on August 9 – 15, 2011 and is targeted at girls in JSS 2 to SS2. For one week, the young women will live together and participate in technology workshops and leadership activities.

Evaluations of previous camps indicate enhanced leadership skills; creativity; and problem-solving and communication abilities in the girls as a result of attending the camp. It affords girls a firsthand experience in cutting edge technology.

The fee for the 4th W.TEC Girls Technology Camp is N50, 000 (this includes registration, course materials, tuition, feeding and boarding fees). Scholarships and fee waivers are also available, so we strongly urge all qualified young women to apply.

Who qualifies to apply?
• Female students currently in JSS 2 to SSS 2 and no younger than 11 years of age
• Must have an excellent academic record
• Interested in learning about computers and other information technology
• Must be available in August 2011
• Must have the consent of either parent or guardian to stay in the camp with other girls for 1 week

Your applications can be sent by:
1. E-mail: info@w-teconline.org
2. Mail: W.TEC, P.O. Box 50389, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos
3. Online submission from our website: www.w-teconline.org
4. Hand delivery to our office: W.TEC, Suite 88, Block A-4, Sura Shopping Complex, Simpson Street, Lagos Island, Lagos

If you have any questions, please contact W.TEC by phone, +234.819.115.0387, +234.1.850.9782 or email info@w-teconline.org.

Please include the following in your application letter:
Name of the applicant (Last name, First Name); Class; Age; School; Contact Address; Phone Number; E-mail

May

23

Dear Ladies,
The Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC) is currently accepting applications for it’s forthcoming Girls Technology Camp.

The 4th W.TEC Girls Technology Camp is an initiative aimed at helping girls develop an early interest in computers and other information technology. The long-term goal is to increase the numbers of women working with and using information technology productively for professional and leadership activities.

This educational camp will take place in August 2011 and is targeted at girls in JSS 2 to SS2. For one week, the young women will live together and participate in technology workshops and leadership activities. 

Evaluations of previous camps indicate enhanced leadership skills; creativity; and problem-solving and communication
abilities in the girls as a result of attending the camp. It affords girls a firsthand experience in cutting edge technology. 

The fee for the 4th W.TEC Girls Technology Camp is N50, 000 (this includes registration, course materials, tuition, feeding and boarding fees). Scholarships and fee waivers are also available, so we strongly urge all qualified young women to apply. 
 
Who qualifies to apply?

Female students currently in JSS 2 to SSS 2 and no younger than 11 years of age

Must have an excellent academic record

Interested in learning about computers and other information technology

Must be available in August 2011Must have the consent of either parent or guardian to stay in the camp with other girls for 1 week 

Your applications can be sent by:

E-mail: info@w-teconline.org  Mail: W.TEC, P.O. Box 50389, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos

Online submission from our website: www.w-teconline.org

Hand delivery to our office: W.TEC, Suite 88 Block A-4, Sura Shopping Complex, Simpson Street, Lagos Island , Lagos

Applications must be received by Friday, May 27th, 2011.

If you have any questions, please contact W.TEC by phone, 0819.115.0387, 01.850.9782 or email info@w-teconline.org.

Please include the following in your application letter:

Name of the applicant (Last name, First Name);

Class; Age; School; Contact Address; Phone Number; E-mail

Sincerely,

Oreoluwa Somolu.


Blogroll

WP Themes