At PR roundtable, ex-NBC boss, NIPR president, others call for more opportunities for women

Former Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Nasir Danladi Bako; President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ike Neliaku; were among distinguished personalities that stressed the need to encourage more women participation in technology, leadership positions and other sectors.

Speaking at the 24th edition of NECCI PR Roundtable held in Lagos recently, Bako described women as powerful. Kamala Harris in the United States has shown capacity.

With the theme, ‘Women in technology, breaking barriers,’ he recalled Winnie Mandela would sneak in to Nigeria to mobilise support for her husband who was the champion of the anti-apartheid struggle. I interviewed Maryam Babangida in the 80s and pit her on the spot. I asked her when a female president would emerge in the country and she responded, “not too distant future,” but we are still waiting.

On his part, Neliaku stated there is need to identify with women that have excelled at a time when tech is taking a front burner. She described the convener Nkechi Ali-Balogun as hardworking, resilient, committed, result- oriented and friend of excellence.

Deputy Governor of Ogun State Noimot Salako-Oyedele said “we must dismantle barriers. It is not a task for women alone, but a shared mission. I am calling on all of us to champion inclusion and equality. When we talk about breaking barriers, we are talking about harnessing untapped resources.

CEO Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, Olatomiwa Williams, argued cultural norms need to change, and “we need to re orientate ourselves in order to make women feel they are worthy. We also need to empower female funders with the right opportunities.” Nkechi Ali-Balogun said the role of women in the society cannot be over emphasised.

In line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals five on gender equality and empower all women and girls, she also encouraged women to go into Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).