By 
By Emmanuel Yinka Fagbenle
Plateau State in central Nigeria has re-affirmed commitment to building software capacity in young people even as the state’s IT regulator, Plateau State Information and Technology Development Agency (PICTDA), turns the spotlight on female developers within the ambit of the Jos Tech Girls initiative.
Director-General of PICTDA, Mr Daser David, while stressing the importance of getting more young females to acquire tech soft skills, particularly noted the inspiring story of Catherine Jonathan, a 19-year-old software developer who started out at PICTDA’s Women In Tech initiative, and now has extensive exposure in software engineering.
Jonathan, currently working at Nhub, the Jos-based tech innovation hub, embodies what women can do if given the opportunity and encouraged to excel, said David.
“The agency acknowledges her not only as an inspiration to young people but also to women in different fields in technology as they strive to bridge the gender divide. She started with no prior knowledge in programming and with time adapted and now she’s doing exploits in the field,” added David.
PICTDA is statutorily established, as a regulatory body, to set good practices in terms of right processes, and government control over ICT investments in the state as well as building tech capacity.
“Jonathan, over her journey at Nhub, has worked on over 20 projects and has never shied away from showing her creativity. She has been able to equip herself with the skills to earn and take care of herself and others.
With her extensive knowledge in software engineering, she has been able to train over 50 new software developers. She continues to encourage her female colleagues that, despite software engineering being tagged a male dominated profession; they have a lot to offer especially in creativity.
“PICTDA continues to work to change the narrative of our culture as they push for digital revolution with the aid of the Governor Simon Bako Lalong and all the hubs in the state. We aim at adding coding curriculum in our public school system soon,” added David.
