Politics
THE First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday commissioned an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre at the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, to empower women and youths.
Tinubu, at the inauguration in Ilorin, said the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) under the Social Investment Programme, collaborated with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), to bridge the nation’s digital gap.
According to her, as a result of this collaboration with NITDA on March 12, 2024, the first-ever ICT community centre constructed by NITDA, was commissioned in Bauchi State.
“So far, NITDA has constructed four community ICT centres in total.
“This centre we are commissioning today is the second, while Benue and Oyo centres are ready to be commissioned soon.
“Other digital economy centres have also been fully equipped with computers and other ICT materials in five states namely: Jigawa, Ebonyi, Cross River, Oyo, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory.
“Ten additional digital Economy Centres in Abia, Edo, Delta, Ondo, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Yobe, and Zamfara are also being fully equipped with ICT materials and will be ready for commissioning soon,” she said.
The firs lady said the centres had greatly benefited youths, especially women and girls, by providing invaluable opportunities for growth and empowerment.
“I am glad to hear about the success stories and the opportunities these centres afford members of these various communities that have benefitted from this intervention.
“The knowledge of ICT serves as a significant tool for empowering communities, especially women, enabling them to break traditional barriers and access new opportunities.
“By equipping themselves with ICT skills, women and girls can enhance their educational prospects, be self-reliant, participate in the global economy, and support their families.
“Therefore, today’s commissioning presents us with another opportunity, under the Ministry of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, to further expand digital access to our citizens.
“The lCT centre is in line with the priority area of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, to accelerate economic diversification through industrialisation and digitalisation”, she said.
She urged members of the communities in Kwara to take full ownership of the centre.
“The success of the centre depends on your active participation and utilization of the resources available.
“In the spirit of today’s event, the RHI, under the Economic Empowerment scope, will be presenting a grant of Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000) to the first lady of Kwara and RHI state coordinator.
“The grant is to support another set of 1,000 women petty traders with the sum of N50,000 each to recapitalise their existing businesses.
“We had earlier empowered 1,000 women petty traders on the Aug.22, 2024. I officially commission and hand over this centre, which will be named Amina Ndalolo Community ICT Centre,” she added. (NAN)
Photo Caption: The First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu commission ICT Centre in Ilorin on Tuesday.
28th January, 2025.
C.E.
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