Despite being the fastest growing
telecommunications country in the world, experts in the Information and
Technology sector have tasked Nigeria on the need to leverage on mobility and
big data for a refined economy.
The experts, who converged at the 6th annual Information Technology Development Programm at the Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun state, on November 5, 2014, proffered that until Nigeria and her youths latch on what technology can offer, that is when digital gaps can be closed.
The experts, who converged at the 6th annual Information Technology Development Programm at the Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun state, on November 5, 2014, proffered that until Nigeria and her youths latch on what technology can offer, that is when digital gaps can be closed.
The forum, a two- day workshop
sponsored majorly by Accenture Nigeria and organised by the Ogun State chapter
of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) was tagged: 'IT Diversity Perspectives
For Global Impact', attracted stakeholders in the sector as well as software
innovators from 12 institutions across the country.
These schools include the Lagos State University (LASU), University of Lagos (Unilag),
the Bells University of Technology, Covenant University, Babcock University, Redeemers University, Crawford University, Federal College of Education (FCE) Osiele, College of Animal Health. DS Adegbenro Polytechnic, Itori and Oyo State College of Agriculture
These schools include the Lagos State University (LASU), University of Lagos (Unilag),
the Bells University of Technology, Covenant University, Babcock University, Redeemers University, Crawford University, Federal College of Education (FCE) Osiele, College of Animal Health. DS Adegbenro Polytechnic, Itori and Oyo State College of Agriculture
In her keynote address, titled:
'Future of IT’, Accenture Business and
Systems Integration Manager, Mrs. Funke Olakanmi-Nobel disclosed that the world
is shrinking owing to technology and Nigerian youths need to explore what and
how technology can enhance their lifestyle.
Through her digital presentation, she noted that the world has reached an advanced stage, where a touch of button makes a difference and that for Nigeria to be among the 20 best economy of the world as well as achieve the much talked about vision 20-20, she must leverage on technology through digital literacy.
"The world is going mobile and most technology is being assisted by mobility, while the big data is the latest trend and Nigeria must leverage on these things for a refined economy".
Through her digital presentation, she noted that the world has reached an advanced stage, where a touch of button makes a difference and that for Nigeria to be among the 20 best economy of the world as well as achieve the much talked about vision 20-20, she must leverage on technology through digital literacy.
"The world is going mobile and most technology is being assisted by mobility, while the big data is the latest trend and Nigeria must leverage on these things for a refined economy".
Nobel also explained the rationale
why a global IT solution provider firm, like Accenture Nigeria, supports the
forum was basically because Accenture believes in the future of the Nigerian
youths and is focused on helping them become employable via enhanced IT skills.
"Accenture supports technology and innovation; just as Accenture is part of this forum in terms of sponsorship, to raise employable youths through IT.
"Our aim is to support young ones with innovative ideas and other initiatives in Nigeria, so that technology can actually grow in the country".
On digital illiteracy, she reiterated that Accenture will also work with other organisations to ensure that digital literacy is recognised and be part of the educational system, saying, "That is why, we are supporting the NCS, NACOS and we go to institutions to mentor young people who are in line with current trend, current technology in terms of knowledge that is obtainable outside the school environment. The world is going digital and Accenture is helping to support this initiative", she said.
"Accenture supports technology and innovation; just as Accenture is part of this forum in terms of sponsorship, to raise employable youths through IT.
"Our aim is to support young ones with innovative ideas and other initiatives in Nigeria, so that technology can actually grow in the country".
On digital illiteracy, she reiterated that Accenture will also work with other organisations to ensure that digital literacy is recognised and be part of the educational system, saying, "That is why, we are supporting the NCS, NACOS and we go to institutions to mentor young people who are in line with current trend, current technology in terms of knowledge that is obtainable outside the school environment. The world is going digital and Accenture is helping to support this initiative", she said.
Also speaking, the NCS president,
Prof David Adewunmi disclosed that today's graduates have become unemployable
owing to a number of factors including the fact that Nigerian youths are not
enhanced with digital skills and the fact that they are not digitally creative
enough to create data for upload, rather they download data a lot.
Adewunmi was represented by the immediate past chairman, Lagos chapter, NCS, Dr Rogba Adeoye.
He further explained that Nigerian youths need to think of how to make the country better through data creation to fight corruption.
"This is an IT age and technology is catching up on all of us. Nigeria needs more data but today's youths are more interested in uploading and downloading data rather than contribute meaningfully to data upload. Lots need to be done to bring data to our community. IT world is dynamic and we need to have an open mind for change".
Adewunmi was represented by the immediate past chairman, Lagos chapter, NCS, Dr Rogba Adeoye.
He further explained that Nigerian youths need to think of how to make the country better through data creation to fight corruption.
"This is an IT age and technology is catching up on all of us. Nigeria needs more data but today's youths are more interested in uploading and downloading data rather than contribute meaningfully to data upload. Lots need to be done to bring data to our community. IT world is dynamic and we need to have an open mind for change".
Meanwhile, CEO, Commit
Technology and Consult Limited, Dr Niran Oyekale described digital illiteracy
as a gap that needs to be covered before it eats deep into the system.
According to him, the assumption that everyone is digitally literate has led to people going out of their way to pick bits and pieces, which have created gaps in the ways computers are used.
Said he, "Until an individual identifies the gap and work towards closing it that is when we can take the benefit that ICT has to offer.
"In the last three years, I put to test 75,000 young Nigerians across the country in various fields, only five people passed. Even the best and first class graduate in Computer science failed the basic computer competency test. This has affected the basic value chain".
He stated further that there was need for Nigeria to re-think education in the sense of overhauling the basic school curriculum, so that Nigeria can move forward."Nigeria needs an intervention through the IC3 spark, which could also be a fire brigade approach to equip students from the fundamentals. How many teachers are computer compliant? It is a worrisome thing and if we don't get it right now, it may be difficult to forge ahead".
According to him, the assumption that everyone is digitally literate has led to people going out of their way to pick bits and pieces, which have created gaps in the ways computers are used.
Said he, "Until an individual identifies the gap and work towards closing it that is when we can take the benefit that ICT has to offer.
"In the last three years, I put to test 75,000 young Nigerians across the country in various fields, only five people passed. Even the best and first class graduate in Computer science failed the basic computer competency test. This has affected the basic value chain".
He stated further that there was need for Nigeria to re-think education in the sense of overhauling the basic school curriculum, so that Nigeria can move forward."Nigeria needs an intervention through the IC3 spark, which could also be a fire brigade approach to equip students from the fundamentals. How many teachers are computer compliant? It is a worrisome thing and if we don't get it right now, it may be difficult to forge ahead".
On his part, Olusola Amusan,
Citizenship Manager for Microsoft Nigeria, also disclosed that Microsoft is
trying to empower individuals and organisations to increase their productivity,
improve employability and connect more people, which is like fighting the
menace of unemployment. We are building an ecosystem of employers and the
academia. What we do t Microsoft is that we are connecting people. We have a
progmme that is like the conveyor belt: the aiki.ng, which means work. We run
this project with our implementing partner, the
Future Project. Over a thousand courses are placed online to empower
themselves, which prepare them for the work space.
Earlier in his welcome address, the
Vice Chancellor of The Bells university of Technology, Prof. Adebayo Adeyemi
tasked organisations to expose students to international exhibitions and not
abandon them after the national appearance.
He explained that the world has gone viral and Nigeria should not be left out of the digital race.
At the end of the second day, after a keenly contested software development competition, The Bells came first, Babcock second and Federal College, Osiele came third. While in the quiz competition, Ogun State Institution (OGITECH), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) and Unilag clinched the first, second and third prizes respectively.
In IT presentation, LASU, FUNAAB and Crawford also won the first, second and third prizes at the venue
He explained that the world has gone viral and Nigeria should not be left out of the digital race.
At the end of the second day, after a keenly contested software development competition, The Bells came first, Babcock second and Federal College, Osiele came third. While in the quiz competition, Ogun State Institution (OGITECH), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) and Unilag clinched the first, second and third prizes respectively.
In IT presentation, LASU, FUNAAB and Crawford also won the first, second and third prizes at the venue
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