Osun: Nigerian Government inaugurates ICT Centre for Students

The Nigerian Government has inaugurated one of the numerous state-of-the-art Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Centers tagged; “The Digital Nigeria Centre,” (DNC) in Ilesa, Osun State with a view to equipping students and citizens with relevant and modern ICT skills.

The skills which include machine learning and artificial intelligence will facilitate ICT adoption in teaching and learning in order to prepare learners for a future that will be technology-driven.

Representing President Muhammadu Buhari at the Commissioning of the project situated at the Ijesa Muslim Grammar School, Ilesa on Friday, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola in a speech titled, “Digital Skills and Literacy for Jobs and Social Inclusion,” said the programme was conceptualized to promote the availability and utilisation of ICT and resources of the Internet in teaching and learning in public schools, particularly in the rural areas.

He noted that the Centre was also designed to promote the connection of public secondary schools to broadband internet, with the view to equipping the beneficiaries with 21st Century skills.

“More concretely, the specific objectives of Digital Nigeria Centre include; increasing ICT literacy among school teachers and students, providing a platform for accessing online educational resources, equipping students with ICT skills, facilitating ICT adoption in teaching and learning and ultimately to increase pass rate in mathematics, English language and other science subjects

“Interestingly, at least six major automakers, including Ford, Mercedes Benz, General Motors and Volvo joined the governments of 30 countries in November last year to pledge to stop the production and sales of internal combustion engine cars by 2040. 

“From a skills development perspective, the implications of technological change are expected to be profound, both for the re-skilling and up-skilling of our adults and for the education of the youth and children.

“In this context, developing capacities for anticipating the changing needs for digital skills for work and life is crucial for all countries and that should be of interest to all of us,” the Minister explained.

Mr Aregbesola subsequently announced the establishment of President Muhammadu Buhari N100 million Technology Empowerment Fund to create world-class technology experts, targeting 2000 youths in the next two years in Ijesaland who will be provided with devices for training in different areas such as software development and design, amongst others.

He explained that the fund, though dedicated to the president was his personal initiative that would be actualised by him and his committee of friends.

In a remark, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami said the Digital Center would fast-track the acquisition of digital skills required for the implementation of the digital economy drive of the Federal Government, especially to the younger generation.

Pantami added that the digital skills which are a range of abilities and aptitudes required by users of digital devices, communication applications, and networks to access and manage information will also in turn boost National Security and enhance National Growth and Progress.

The State’s Governor, Adeboyega Oyetola maintained that Nigeria cannot be left behind by the digital revolution of the world, noting that his administration also focuses on building a sustainable economy through e-government.

Responding to the gesture of the Federal Government, the Principal, Ijesa Muslim Grammar School, Mrs Ramota Ilesanmi, thanked President Buhari for selecting the school for the project, saying it would go a long way in meeting the ICT needs of not only the students but select residents of the city.

The Digital Nigeria Centre DNC) is a project facilitated through the Universal Service Provision Fund of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

PIAK