Gov Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Friday in Ibadan, inaugurated a N300 million Information and Communication Technology(ICT) Data and Service Centre in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the centre, built at the Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology in Ibadan, was facilitated by Hon Saheed Fijabi, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunications.
NAN reports that the centre built by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) with the support of Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).
Ajimobi, while inaugurating the project said that the ICT centre would contribute immensely to human capital development in the state and Nigeria by extension.
The governor said that the centre was very essential, adding that it would provide the people the intellectual leverage required in all human endeavours.
“ICT holds the longest value-chain in all profession. The richest people today across the world engage in ICT activities.
“The illiterates of today are not those who cannot read and write, but those who don’t have knowledge of ICT.
“Nigerians are very intelligent people and professionals, but they lack the right attitude to work,” he said.
He advised the students of the school to make good use of the opportunity availed them by the centre, adding that the state government had upgraded the school into a college.
Ajimobi admonished the students to be more committed to their studies, saying that the only reward “is to appreciate the opportunities and the success that comes with it.”
He commended Fijabi for his immense contributions to the development of the state, adding that he was one of the best representatives of the state.
Prof Temitope Alonge, the Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital (UCH), who also spoke at the inauguration, said that the hospital would continue to give its support to develop the centre.
He said that the ICT centre would help it to facilitate lectures to the students from UCH, and support telemedicine and teleconferencing.
Earlier, Fijabi had said that the project was facilitated to enhance the core functions of teaching, learning and research application through ICT.
He said that the centre was in tune with the vision of the state government to development ICT in the state.
“This project will serve as backbone for teaching, learning, research and services. We have also facilitates needed for this type of projects and others across the state.
“I like to inform you that a maternity centre with full ICT is presently under construction at Orita-Merin.
“The maternity centre on completion is expected to provide affordable and sound health care services to the people. I have also sponsored several motions and bills,” he said.
Mr Siji Ganiyu, the Provost of the institution commended the governor and Fijabi for their immense contributions to the institution.
Ganiyu, who expressed deep appreciation for the centre, promised that the ICT centre would be efficiently and effectively managed to fulfill its purpose.