Governments tasked on use of ICT tools in mitigating the effects of COVID-19

By Omotayo Olatunde Ado, Ekiti

Government at all levels in Nigeria have been called upon to make use of the opportunities provided by the deployment of Information and Communication Technology tools to drive the operation of the various sectors of the economy to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nation.

Making the call in a Communique issued at the end of the 3rd Biennial International Conference, tagged CRID 2021, organised by the Centre for Research, Innovation and Development (CRID) of The Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti, the Conference also emphasised on the need for investing in the vulnerable members of the society.

The Conference, which was attended by about 500 participants from across four continents with over 250 Paper presentations in Physical and Virtual mode, further called on the Nigerian Governments to also work with Research Institutions to develop home made remedies to combat the pandemic while subjecting such remedy for clinical trials.

The Conference held under the theme: “Scientific and Technological Approaches to Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic and its Socio-Economic Challenges” further encouraged governments to partner with the private sector of the economy to make Internet facilities accessible for effective E-learning in schools.

Discussion at the Conference was stirred by a thought provoking welcome address delivered by the Rector, Dr. Dayo Oladebeye, who chaired the opening session, with keynote address by Professor Kayode Alese, a FUTA Professor of Cyber Security and four lead Paper presentations across diverse fields.

The well attended Conference also implored Governments to partner and work with the education sector to develop and roll out policies that would enhance entrepreneurship education and prudence in the distribution of COVID-19 incentives.