The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA has assured its commitment to collaborate with Manpower Development Institute on digital literacy training in Jigawa State,Northwest ,Nigeria .
This in line with its mandate to improve human capital development through the implementation of its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2021- 2024) initiatives.
The Director-General ,Kashifu Inuwa,
gave the assurance while receiving the Chairman Governing Board, Manpower Development Institute, Muna Inuwa-Tahir, and his team on a courtesy visit at the NITDA in Abuja, Nigeria.
Inuwa said that the move for collaboration between both organisations was very timely, given that workforce development and capacity building are high priorities identified by President Muhammed Buhari which prompted the setting up a committee on how the nation can come out of recession.
“They came up with the economic recovery and growth plan with three objectives firstly to restore the economy, secondly to build a globally qualitative economy, and thirdly to invest in our people,” he stated.
The NITDA boss further explained that the third plan was focused on workforce development and capacity building.
He said, “This means our greatest resources are our manpower and natural resources.
“This initiative has helped Jigawa state a lot because, in today’s economy, we generate more money from services that are rendered through the human capital, as the nation currently create more revenue from IT sector than oil.”
Acknowledging the impact of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, he confirmed that the workforce was tailored at driving a knowledge-based economy that is majorly on human capital development through the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), and in achieving 95% digital literacy in the next eight years, which is 2030.
“Government cannot do it alone; the Federal Government needs collaboration with the state government, NGOs, private organisations and to achieve its target. Significantly, NITDA has conducted several activities and programs from 2017 till date in Jigawa State like; the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA), Training for Women in ICT, the Mobile Phone Repair for Artisans; and in effect, we are already partnering either directly or indirectly with the institute,” he recalled.
The Director General further affirmed that NITDA has been partnering with NGOs in delivering training at a reduced rate in time past and clamoured that this style can be explored in the partnership between both organisations.
While responding to the request for intervention, the DG stated that the Agency would work on it and revert before the end of the year.
he said the team should liaise with the Director IT Infrastructure Solutions of the agency, Dr Usman Abdullahi Gambo, who noted that discussions on possible areas of benefit for both organisations would be optimised.
The Chairman Governing Board for Manpower Development Institute, Muna Inuwa Tahir, acknowledged that NITDA had conducted training for government staff across 19 states from 2017 in addition to other activities over the years.
He applauded this impact; and said nevertheless, he is seeking collaboration with NITDA in the provision of ICT gadgets and capacity building training at the Manpower Development Institute.
He lamented that MDI could not obtain the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) license to function as a CBT centre for lack of adequate types of equipment, hence the need to approach NITDA for support.
Confidence Okwuchi
