Unlock ICT potentials, Mimiko urges youths

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has challenged youths to unlock ICT potentials to fast-track  national development, saying that his Mega Primary Schools built across the state is aimed at recreating infrastructural concept in the schools.

Mimiko threw the challenge while declaring open the 2016  Codepreneur Project Launch held at the International Event Centre, The Dome in Akure yesterday.

Mimiko, who charged the young lads  to use ICT to positively  unlock the nation’s potentials said that knowledge in ICT  is what has  helped the developed world to attain their desired development.

He said  that the pupils of the Mega Primary Schools in Ondo State will become champions of the world because of their exposure to computer from the primary school level.

He urged the youths to be exposed to the possibilities of technology that will translate to national economic growth.

Mimiko stressed that his administration will partner Tech4dev and Microsoft to help the youth discover their potentials in ICT education and development.

According to the Governor, ICT should be deployed to help in achieving good governance stressing that, his administration’s multi-application smart  card popularly known  as  “Kaadi Igbeayo”has  effectively been deployed to better the lots of the citizenry.

He maintained  that plans are also  underway by his government to roll out  digital C of O through  ICT initiative and that farm input will be given to 18,000 farmers at 50 percent subsidy very soon with the aid of Kaadi Igbe-Ayo .

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Youth  and Sports  Development, Mr Dayo Awude commended  Governor Mimiko for making Ondo State a pace setter in ICT initiatives.

On his part, the Dean, Students Affairs, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Prof  Kayode  Alese represented by Dr Aderonke Thompson said his passion is to encourage youths with comprehensive and visible vision and commended the support of the Ondo State Government for the project.

Also speaking, Microsoft Citizens Manager,  Mr Olusola Amusan who represented Microsoft on the occasion said the organisation is ready to support any government which is ready to invest in the youths.

He lauded the enabling environment provided by the Mimiko-led administration for all kinds of businesses to thrive.

Earlier, the Founder, Tech4dve, Mr Joel Ogunsola  said the project is to help youths discover their potentials in ICT and other areas of relative advantage.

According to him, technology is one of the ways to boost the nation’s socio-economic development hence the need to focus more investments in ICT.

He said last year, tech4dev  trained one thousand resource persons in different kinds of software development, with a view to making Nigeria a pacesetter in software packages.