By Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, said the knowledge of ICT has the capacity to empower communities especially women and break traditional barriers affecting women’s economic empowerment and create new opportunities for the female gender.
The wife of President Bola Tinubu who made the remark while commissioning another ICT Community Centre constructed by the National Information Technology Development Agency in collaboration with the RHI at the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, Kwara State acknowledged the impact of ICT on women.
According to her, by equipping themselves with ICT skills, women and girls can enhance their educational prospects, be self-reliant, participate in the global economy, and support their families.
The First Lady urged the community to take full ownership of the centres adding that the success of these centres depend on their active participation and utilisation of the resources available.
According to her, the centres are greatly benefiting youths, especially women and girls by providing invaluable opportunities for growth and empowerment.
“I am glad to hear about the success stories and opportunities these centres are affording members of these various communities that have benefited from these interventions” she added.
In his address, the Kwara State Governor, Mr aAbdulRahman AbdulRazaq commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the First Lady and the NITDA’s management for what he described as “impactful initiative.”
He said, “Technology is here to stay and the only path forward is to aggressively invest in the skills and infrastructure that will secure a prosperous future for our people.”
“As we commissioned this ICT Community Centre today, I extend our heartfelt appreciation to Her Excellence and the RHI for this remarkable investment in our communities and youths.”
In his welcome remarks, the 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.
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.
The NITDA boss said the centre aligns with the president’s wife initiative of empowering women, the vulnerable groups and the students with knowledge they need to thrive in life.
“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.”
The centre is equipped with 48 computer sets, e-learning facilities, alternative power source, internet facility and other essential ICT components.
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.
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 attendance are the Imo State Governor, Mr Hope Uzodinma, the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, Wife of the Senate President, Wife of the Speaker of the House of Representative, Wife of the National Security Adviser, some state governors’ wives and other top government’s functionaries.
