FG’s Virtual
FG’s Virtual Institutions Train 36,000 on IT Skills
-Pantami
A large proportion of the 36,000 Nigerians who enrolled for
Information Technology (IT) skills acquisition in the virtual
institutions established by the Federal Government (FG) have
completed their training and since been certified, Dr. Isa Ali
Ibrahim Pantami has said.
The virtual digital institutions were established during the
early stages of the COVID-19 lockdown, across the country.
The Economic Confidential gathered that the government
collaborated with IBM, and Microsoft, among other international IT
firms to train selected participants on emerging technology such as
artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, internet fibre optics,
among other key Information Communication Technology (ICT)
marketable areas.
Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy
disclosed this on Tuesday, in Abuja.
Pantami spoke at the “Second Phase of the Virtual Commissioning
of Projects,” executed by National Information Technology
Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Commission
(NCC), Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) and the Nigerian
Postal Service (NIPOST).
Some of the virtually commissioned projects include Tertiary
Institution Knowledge Centre (TIKC), in Delta State University,
Abraka; School Knowledge Centre (SKC) at Government Day Secondary
School, Hassan Central, in Gombe State; and a Health Data Sharing
Centre, at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), in Bauchi
State.
Others are Virtual Examination Centre in University of Maiduguri
(UNIMAID); Information Technology Innovation Park at the Kogi State
University, in Ayingba; and Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs)
at Ilorin and Calabar, in Kwara and Cross-Rivers States,
respectively.
In his remark at the event, Dr. Pantami, explained that the
projects are not only related to the eight pillars of the digital
economy but the three cardinal agenda of Mr President’s
administration.
He said the ECCs will greatly support the security agencies to
swiftly nip crimes in the nip.
The Communications and Digital Economy Minister, further added
that the IT Incubation Centres being championed by NITDA will go a
long way in promoting and supporting FG’s economic diversification
agenda.
He said: “Some of the projects related to e-governance will also
go a long way in fighting corruption. Because the more our
activities are digitalized, the less of physical financial
transaction, which leads to fraudulent manipulations”.
Governors Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya and Senator Hope Uzodinma of
Gombe and Imo States, and Ministers, among other eminent guests,
attended commissioning ceremony.