FG genuinely committed to ICT development in Nigeria ―Shittu

THE Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, on Thursday in Ile-Ife said that the Federal Government was genuinely committed to the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Nigeria.

Shittu, spoke at the second edition of the Ife Youths Economic Summit (IYES) where 200 youths would be trained on Computer Programming, Mobile App Development (Android Apps & iOS Apps), Desktop Application, Game Development, Website Design, Website Hosting, E-Commerce, Online Content Development, Search Engine Optmization, Blogging, Business Set-Up and Management.

The minister contended that ICT was the way to go if the nation would compete favourably with the dynamic and speedy technological growth in the global community.

At the summit, titled, ‘ICT as a Formidable Tool for Nigeria’s Economic Rejuvenation and Massive Job Creation’, the Ooni Annual South-West Final-Year Students Business Idea Competition and Osun State Chapter of Young Entrepreneurs were launched.

Shittu, who was represented by Mr Olufemi Olufeko, maintained that the President Muhammad Buhari’s administration attach topmost priority to youth development and massive job creation using ICTs.

According to him, “government is not paying lip service to the development of ICT in the country. ICT provides job creation; connect people to jobs using internet-based and mobile tools; provides larger reach, provides awareness for products and services to more global end users, thereby using more coverage and commercial activities and massive job creation”.

“ICT empowers workers by making labour markets more transparent and inclusive by making sure low-income and marginalised communities also have opportunity to be part of the market. ICT also supports innovation; this creates new, more flexible form of employment and work,” Shittu added

In his remark, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), tasked youths in the country to develop innovative ideas capable of improving the nation’s economy, adding that there was need for them to take the training seriously because ICT had emerged as a relevant tool for daily transaction and engagement.

He stated, “the Western world is aware of your (Nigerian youths) ingenuity and capacity of your brain and you must show your uniqueness. We have a lot of Nigeria youth with beautiful brain but are not celebrated, frivolities have taken over. We now places fame over intellectual capacity. Youths in the country should be motivated by the greatness of their future always,” he added.

The chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Senator Ajayi Boroffice at the occasion advised youths in the country to be committed and dedicated to make a change in the country’s technological sector, pointing out that “If you start small and committed, your business will grow. ICT is the way and you should take advantage of it”.