From Umar Dankano, Yola
A total of 52 female students from eight secondary schools in Adamawa State have been trained in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, Python programming and digital literacy.
The five-day training, organised by the Tech Girls Club under the theme, “AI/Data Science for Her,” brought together students from public and private secondary schools across Yola.
Speaking at the closing ceremony held at the Robertson Digital Library of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, the lead facilitator of the AI/Data Science Girls Club for Her, Dr Wilson Sakpere, said the initiative was designed to empower girls with skills in science and technology.
Sakpere said the Tech Girls Club, concerned about the disadvantaged position of girls in accessing opportunities in science and technology, sought support from the Neural Information Processing Systems, an American organisation, to implement the programme.
He explained that the boot camp equipped participants with future-ready skills in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Python programming and digital literacy.
According to him, the students gained practical knowledge of AI and data analysis tools, among other technology-related skills.
He added that the programme would be replicated across the six geopolitical zones of the country, with Adamawa hosting the North-East edition.
Sakpere called on the federal and state governments to create an enabling environment through policies and programmes that would allow non-governmental organisations and other private initiatives to complement government efforts in developing young Nigerians.
The Programme Manager of Tech Girls Club, Miss Wonderful Osalor, commended the organisation’s founder, Dr Aderonke Sakpere, for initiating the programme to expose girls to science and technology at an early age.
Osalor said the enthusiasm and performance of the students improved significantly during the training, noting that participants who initially struggled with some concepts gained confidence through peer learning and guidance from experienced tutors.
She said the Tech Girls Club, established in 2019, had trained more than 2,500 students in science and technology across different states.
The participating schools included Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Yola, Capital Secondary School Yola, Air Force Comprehensive Secondary School Yola, Ladi Atika Girls College Yola, Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Karewa, Ahmadu Ribadu College Yola, GDSS Lamido Sanda Yola and AUN Schools.
Also speaking, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Post Primary Schools Management Board, Mr Birsan Penuel, described the initiative as a significant step towards improving girls’ education and participation in science-related fields.
Represented by the Director of Sports, Julius J. Christopher, Penuel said government’s role in promoting Artificial Intelligence and Data Science could not be overemphasised, urging increased investment in technology education.
In his goodwill message, the President of AUN, Yola, Frazier DeWayne, encouraged the students to continue practising the skills acquired both at school and at home to develop mastery.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Adama Adamu and Moda Keran Habila thanked the Tech Girls Club for the opportunity, pledging to share the knowledge gained with their colleagues in their respective schools.