Anwukah urges Unity Schools to focus on ICT

THE Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Anwukah, has charged the 104 Unity Colleges across Nigeria to give more attention to Information Communication Technology (ICT).

He spoke during the presentation of awards for outstanding performance to students from the Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, Lagos, at the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja.

The minister, who described ICT as the only way out, given the current situation in the country, said a focus on technology would help create more jobs. He further urged Unity Schools to participate more in international competitions.

“This is why I am saying that we can be where the Asian Tigers are, if we really do the right thing. Rather than patronising other people’s technology, we can invite the technology manufacturing companies to come with just their software to Nigeria and assemble and manufacture here.

“I want to commend the FSTC for their landmark achievements in the field of ICT, and I want to also say, with all I have seen today, the future of these students are assured,” he said.

Earlier, the principal of the school, Reverend Chris Ugorji, said his school would continue to recognise the place of ICT in national development.

He said: “The concept is in line with the spirit and letter of the National Policy on Education, as well as the vision and mission of the founding fathers of the 104 Unity Colleges across the country.

“Also as part of the college’s resolve to continuously transform the college to an enviable height, the institution also registered in the 2016 Africa Future Trust Model United Nations (TAFMUN) programme.

“TAFMUN is an affiliate of the United Nations designed to replicate a model of the United Nations General Assembly.”

Ugorji also disclosed that out of the nine awards available for collection, by participating institutions, the college had won seven, to emerge overall best at a recent competition organised by Cisco.