In her remarks at the ceremony held yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, Mrs Nafisat Bakare, the executive director of WDSFaI, said the SafeHer programme sought to empower women and girls with relevant digital skills that will guarantee them self-reliance and protect them against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

She disclosed that under the programme, the graduates received comprehensive free hands-on training in either Software Development, Product Design or Data Science, adding that they also received training in soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and branding.

While congratulating the graduating fellows, Bakare encouraged them to stay curious and be open to new experiences, noting that “the world is constantly changing, and it is important to stay flexible and adaptable.

There will be challenges and obstacles along the way, but with perseverance and a positive attitude, you can overcome anything.

“I want to encourage you to continue to strive for excellence and to pursue your goals with passion and drive. The skills and knowledge you have gained through the ‘SafeHer programme’ will serve you well in the years to come.

“As you embark on the next chapter of your lives, remember that you have the knowledge and skills to create meaningful change in the world around you as the future is full of possibilities.”

The WDSfaI boss appreciated The Circle, Global Feminism in Solidarity and Action for its support towards to the success of the SafeHer programme, saying “without their support, this programme would not have been possible.”

Among the graduates was a 62-year-old woman, Mrs Adeola Ayano, who learnt Software Development, reflecting the organisation’s commitment to inclusivity. Notwithstanding her age, Ayano said she embraced the opportunity to learn new skills and expand her horizons to “prove that it is never too late to pursue education and personal growth.”

On her part, Aisha Ibrahim, who graduated from the Data Science track, expressed gratitude to the organisers for providing her with the opportunity to gain Data Science skills, saying that she had always wanted to learn the skills but had no money to enrol for the training.

“For a long time, I had the intention of learning a digital skill, but I did not have the capacity to enroll for a paid training, but when I learnt Webfala Digital Skills for all Initiative was organisaing a free training, I quickly sent in my application and today, I’m glad that I was selected and have completed the training which I believe will open doors to new possibilities for me and other participants,” she said.

The highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of certificates and awards to deserving participants, with 10 of them going home with laptops. The ceremony was attended by family members and friends of the graduates as well as dignitaries, including the Special Assistant on Digital Innovation, to the Kwara State Government, Kayode Ishola.

According to Raphael Ogundele, the programme manager of Webfala Digital Skills for All Initiative, the success of the digital skills training highlights the transformative impact of empowering women with digital skills.

“By equipping women of all ages with the digital skills and knowledge needed to thrive in this dynamic digital age, the SafeHer initiative is not only improving individual lives but also driving positive social and economic change in our communities,” he said.

Wale Bakare, the organisation’s co-founder and Director of Partnerships and Sustainability, made the call while addressing participants at a one-day workshop held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, to mark the 2024 Safer Internet Day.

Attended by digital enthusiasts, parents, students and teachers from schools within Ilorin, the workshop themed ‘Inspiring Change, Making a Difference’ aimed at raising awareness of a safer and better internet for all, and especially for children and young people.

Bakare, who is also a digital rights advocate emphasized the need for stakeholders like governments, school authorities, teachers and parents to address online concerns to protect children and young people from potential online risks and get the most from their internet experience.

While educating the children on how they can safely navigate the digital landscape, the NGO boss warned them about the risks of interacting with strangers online, and also encouraged them to report to their teachers and parents any suspicious activity they encounter on the internet.

Bakare, who shared valuable insights on how parents and teachers can manage YouTube and search engines for children’s safe usage, stressed the importance of open communication between parents and children, noting that “guiding, not restricting, is key to fostering responsible online behaviour among children.”

“Without doubt, the internet is a force for good, but also holds some dangers for its users, particularly children and young people. This is why it is important that both parents and children are aware of the risks the internet can present such as cybercrime, cyberbullying, invasion of privacy, impersonation, and spread of fake news and hate speeches.

“The digital space is wide and knows no borders. As such, collective efforts are needed to ensure a safer, more inclusive, and secure internet for our children and young people. Relevant stakeholders like governments, school authorities, teachers and parents must come together to address online concerns to protect children and young people from potential online risks and get the most from their internet experience,” he said.

On her part, the founder of TrustElevate and digital identity author, Dr. Rachel O’Cornell, who joined the workshop virtually from her base in Europe, shed light on some of the current global issues around internet safety, especially recent United States Senate public hearing on Child Safety, involving CEOs of big social media companies like Facebook, Snapchat, Tiktok and X formerly called Twitter.

She also equipped the participants with strategies to discern truth from falsehood in the digital age while also sharing with them approaches for students and adults to manage their screen time and establish healthy digital habits.

The highlight of the programme was the unveiling of the WDSfaI’s Online Safety Superhero Handbook titled ‘A Kid’s Guide to Online Adventures’, providing valuable insights and practical tips for children navigating the digital world and findings of its research on ‘Strategies to Enhance Online Safety for Children in Nigeria, shedding light on effective measures measures to safeguard young users online

Hameed Muritala, the organisation’s director of Communications and Strategy, explained that “the handbook provides valuable insights and practical tips on how children and young people can safely navigate the digital space while the research report sheds light on effective measures to safeguard young users online.”

He disclosed that copies of the handbook and research reports would be distributed to schools across Kwara state.

The WDSFaI training programme, held yesterday at Noktel Hotel, Ilorin, had in attendance 60 Information Technology, IT-inclined educators from various schools across Kwara state, with the participants engaged in hands-on sessions and collaborative projects, which enabled them gain practical insights into the world of E-STEM and robotics education.

Micheal Joseph, a Robotics specialist who led the training, introduced the participating teachers to the world of robotics, educating them on the basic software and hardware devices used in robotics like LCDs, motors, sensors.

With the theoretical and practical knowledge received, the teachers were able to design and build some autonomous robots like a LED Light bar, intruder alarm, voice-controlled LED, ultrasonic robot and temperature monitoring system, using Arduino Uno, a micro-controller platform, and reusable materials.

Speaking on the need to introduce robotics into STEM education, Joseph said technology skills like coding and robotics have the power to change the world.

He added that it was important to instil in young students, curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills that will prepare them for the future of work.

Earlier in her address, Bakare Nafisat, the executive director of the Webfala Digital Skills for all Initiative, said the training programme was targeted at educators with limited knowledge of E-STEM and Robotics, and designed to provide them with basic technical and practical knowledge required to integrate E-STEM and Robotics into their classroom teaching.

Bakare explained that after the training, the teachers are expected to share the knowledge and skills they’ve acquired with their students.

She further disclosed that as part of efforts to support the growth of Robotics education in Kwara, her organization had selected 17 schools in the State that would be presented with free robotic kits, accompanied with specialized training sessions for their students at no cost.

“Additionally, we will be having a 4-weekend robotics training for children between the ages of 9 and 14, starting on 27 January 2024. This project is made possible by the support we received from the Pratt and Whitney and North American Association for Environmental Education. We appreciate them for their unwavering contributions to this programme. It is through their collaboration that we are here today ready to equip schools with the needed knowledge, abilities, and competencies needed for an innovative and sustainable future.

“Our aim with this project is to introduce young students to Robotics and equip with them knowledge and skills to solve problems through computational thinking and practical approach using robots. This project connects students with hands-on learning activities that will enable them to develop technical and problem-solving skills. At our organization, we believe that every child deserves an opportunity to be empowered and excel in this technology and innovation-driven world.

“Since its establishment in 2018, our organization has trained thousands of teachers, students and women in variety of STEM skills including web development, data analysis, graphics design, product design, among others,” she said.

One of the teachers who participated in the robotics training, Mr Kareem Aduagba of Ethical College, Ilorin, expressed appreciation to the organisers and promised to impart in his students skills and knowledge he gained during the training.

Another teacher, Osundeyi Comfort from Aderoju International schools, said she was delighted to have been selected to participate in the training, which she noted had emabled her gain insights into the world or E-STEM and robotics.