अभाव से संभावना तक: बाधाएँ नवाचार की उत्प्रेरक बनती हैं | Kadwama Lazarus | TEDxJimeta

Northeast Women In Tech (NEWIT) की संस्थापक और कार्यकारी निदेशक Kadwama Deborah Lazarus नाइजीरियाई लोगों से आग्रह करती हैं कि वे आदर्श परिस्थितियों का इंतज़ार करने के बजाय अपने पास मौजूद संसाधनों के साथ आगे बढ़ें। नाइजीरिया की "अफ्रीका के दिग्गज" वाली छवि के संदर्भ में वे देश की संभावनाओं और वर्तमान वास्तविकताओं के बीच के अंतर पर विचार करती हैं। वे यह भी बताती हैं कि NEWIT एक साधारण WhatsApp समूह से शुरू होकर उत्तर-पूर्वी नाइजीरिया की महिलाओं के लिए तकनीक के अवसर बनाने वाली पहल में कैसे बदला।

• चुनौतियों को कार्रवाई की प्रेरणा के रूप में देखना
• WhatsApp समूह से NEWIT के विकास की कहानी
• आंतरिक रूप से विस्थापित लोगों के शिविरों की महिलाओं तक पहुँच

In her TEDx talk, Kadwama Deborah Lazarus challenges Nigerians to look beyond the limitations around them and take action from where they are. Using Nigeria’s reputation as the “Giant of Africa,” she reflects on the gap between the country’s potential and its present realities, encouraging people to see challenges as motivation to do more rather than reasons to hold back. She shares the story behind Northeast Women in Tech (NEWIT), her tech initiative aimed at creating opportunities for women in technology. What began as a simple WhatsApp group for women already in tech and those interested in the field grew through collaboration and a commitment to inclusion. Born, raised, and educated in Adamawa State, she also challenges the assumption that success requires being in a major city like Lagos. Through her experiences, including an initiative that reached women in IDP camps, she reminds us that meaningful change does not require perfect circumstances. Sometimes, all it takes is the courage to start with what we have, from where we are, and the willingness to see possibilities where others see limitations. Kadwama Lazarus is a technology and social impact leader, Founder and Executive Director of Northeast Women In Tech (NEWIT), an initiative of Girma Innovative Technologies. She is passionate about equipping women and girls in Northeast Nigeria with digital skills, leadership opportunities, and pathways to economic inclusion. With a background in Information Technology and product design, Kadwama works at the intersection of technology, inclusion, and community development. Her work has earned recognition from Google, She Leads Africa, and other leadership and technology initiatives, including the 2025 Google/Women Techmakers Community Impact Award and recognition as one of She Leads Africa's 2026 Top 50 Rising Motherland Moguls. Grounded in Northeast Nigeria, she is committed to challenging deficit narratives and demonstrating how communities facing constraints can create innovation, resilience, and new opportunities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx