Tinubu Commissions NITDA ICT centre in Kwara
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has commissioned an ICT Community Centre constructed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) at the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
The ICT Centre was constructed in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Speaking at the event, Tinubu commended NITDA for its impactful efforts in bridging the digital divide across the country.
She said, “ So far, NITDA has constructed four Community ICT Centres in collaboration with RHI for its social investment purposes. This centre we are commissioning today is the second, while Benue and Oyo centres are ready to be commissioned soon.”
“Other Digital Economy Centres have also been fully equipped with computers and other ICT materials in five states namely Jigawa, Ebonyi, Cross Rivers, Niger and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to her, additional 10 Digital Economy Centres in Abia, Edo, Delta, Ondo, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Yobe and Zamfara states are also fully equipped with computers and ICT materials and will be ready for commissioning soon.
In his welcome remarks, NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa said the project further attests to the president’s commitment to harnessing the potential of digital innovation to drive national prosperity and inclusivity.
Describing the project as a pivotal step towards strengthening the digital economy and enhancing our citizens’ digital fluency and proficiency, he said the centre is designed and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to deliver smart, interactive and personalised learning experience to the citizens.
“We know knowledge is a foundation upon which countries build robust and sustainable economy, this aligns with President Tinubu’s commitment to elevating Nigeria to a premier status of the global digital economy and by harnessing the potential of digital innovation to drive national prosperity and inclusivity.
He said, “To achieve this, our President directed us to enhance productivity in crucial sectors such as education, that is the reason we are here to commission this initiative. So the President is committed to that, and our mother, the First Lady, through her initiative is partnering with NITDA to deliver this centre to you in Kwara State.
The NITDA boss said the centre is in line with the president’s wife initiative of empowering women, the vulnerable groups and the students with knowledge they need to thrive in life. “We thank you mummy for this partnership with NITDA to implement this initiative.”
“This is one of our initiatives designed as the Digital Literacy for All because we know Nigeria’s greatest resource is not the mineral underneath us but it is our human capital. And this is the only way we can deliver a sustained inclusive growth as a nation.”
He noted that the initiative is designed in three buckets. “We have worked with the Ministry of Education, we developed curriculum for primary and secondary schools, we are training the teachers this year and by next session, digital skills will be embedded in Nigerian formal educational sector.
The centre is equipped with 48 computer sets, e-learning facilities, alternative power source, internet facility and other essential ICT components.
