Who is affected?

I am just one out of the possible millions of young female creatives fighting every day for opportunities, internships and a fair chance to develop the possibilities we are aware lies within us, but I can only begin to affect change within my immediate community (The Federal University of Technology, Owerri) and so I speak for these women who want better for themselves.

This is our current reality but hopefully not for too long and that is why we are calling on you to join us in this fight!

After having tried content writing for two years, I decided to become creative, diving into multimedia storytelling. This was when I discovered that there was no safe space for creatives in my immediate community (FUTO). I needed collaboration to bring projects and ideas to life, and I needed to intern with experienced people around me but it was and still is a challenge! 

Then it struck me that although FUTO has been making remarkable progress in thriving communities for business, tech, entrepreneurship etc we didn’t have a creative community where people would grow, exchange ideas, network and navigate career paths.

As a concerned student at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) I seek to address this pressing matter that requires immediate attention and action. I, alongside several fellow students, believe that it is crucial to provide enhanced opportunities for female creatives, especially to upscale and obtain internships on our university campus.

FUTO prides itself on fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment that promotes creativity and innovation. However, we have observed a significant disparity in the opportunities available to female students to pursue their creative passions. This gender imbalance limits their ability to develop essential skills, gain practical experience, and network with professionals in their chosen fields.

We firmly believe that by providing increased opportunities for female creatives to upskill and access internships, FUTO can empower and uplift its female student population. By bridging this gap, we can promote gender equality, foster a supportive community, and enable female students to compete on an equal footing with their male counterparts.

Measures to take;

Therefore, we, the undersigned students of FUTO, kindly request the following actions to be taken:

Skill Development Programs: Implement a range of skill development programs specifically designed for female students, including workshops, seminars, and training sessions. These programs should cover various creative disciplines, such as graphic design, photography, videography, voice-over artistry, filmmaking, and multimedia production.

Internship Opportunities: Collaboration with local industries, organizations, and creative professionals to create internship opportunities exclusively for female students. These internships should be structured to provide practical experience and mentorship, enabling female creatives to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Mentorship Programs: Establish a mentorship program that pairs female students with experienced professionals in their respective creative fields. This mentorship will provide guidance, support, and personalized advice, helping female students navigate their career paths and build valuable connections.

Resource Allocation: Allocate adequate resources, such as funding, facilities, and equipment, to support the development and execution of these initiatives. Additionally, ensure that the university's career services department actively promotes and supports opportunities for female creatives.

We firmly believe that implementing these measures will create a more inclusive and supportive environment for female creatives at FUTO. 

I believe that with your help and support in signing this petition, FUTO can become a leading institution in promoting gender equality and empowering female creatives.

We are calling on the SUG (Student Union Government),

The SUG Secretary general Comr. Onyejeme Philemon DriftKing.

The Vice chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Prof Nnenna Oti.

The Commissioner for youths, Imo state in the person of Hon. Eric Uwakwe.

 To please take necessary actions to empower us.