FG not paying lip service to ICT devt – Minister

The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has said that the Federal Government of Nigeria was ‘genuinely’ committed to the development of Information and Communication Technology in the country.

He said this at the second edition of the Ife Youths Economic Summit, after which 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.

During the summit, which was themed, ‘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.

The minister, who was represented by Mr. Olufemi Olufeko, explained that the President Muhammad Buhari’s administration placed importance on youth development and massive job creation using ICTs.

He said, “This 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.”

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), challenged youths in the country to display innovative ideas capable of improving the nation’s economy.

He told them to take the training seriously, saying that ICT has emerged as a relevant tool for daily transaction and engagement.

“The western worlds 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 praise fame over brain (intellect). Youths in the country should be motivated by the greatness of their future always,” he added.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, advised youths in the country to be committed and dedicated to make a change in the country’s technological sector.

“If you start small and committed, your business will grow. ICT is the way and you should take advantage of it,” he added.

Special Assistant to Ooni on Youth Development and Wealth Creations, Olamide Awosunle, challenged government at all levels to invest in ICT skills development.

He said, “Having known the impact ICT can make on our economy it is imperative we take the bull by the horn. The first step in our development drive will be ICT skills development in Nigeria. ICT holds a lot of potential for economic growth and Nigeria being the ‘giant’ of Africa needs to wake up and take the initiative of empowering her youths for the challenges ahead.

“More investment has to be made in the ICT sector, subsidies have to introduced to reduce the exorbitant cost of acquisition of ICT education in our country today; a state of emergency should be declared in the ICT sector of the economy and incentives provided to encourage more youths to pursue careers in the ICT industry. We should stop paying lip service to ICT development.”