Rivers Plans Info-Tech Village

Former President Ibrahim Babangida (left), exchanging pleasantries with the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, during the birthday lecture of Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State (centre) in Abeokuta, yesterday.

As part of measures to raise the information technology (IT) profiles of the state, the Rivers State Government has disclosed plans to open an IT village in the state.

The hint was dropped by the Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on IT, Mr Goodlife Nmekini while unveiling a new e-learning and examination-prep software packaged by Cinfores Nigeria Limited in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Mr Nmekini said when the centre is finally unveiled, it would serve as the hub of IT in the region. He stated that this was one way to prepare and train indigenes to fit into the information age.

The governor’s special aide also disclosed plans by the Rivers State authorities to provide computers to civil servants and their families at affordable prices.

The exercise, he stated, is being conducted in collaboration with Cinfores and would enable public servants to be effective in the discharge of their duties by reducing paper work and bureaucracy.

In his remarks, Managing Director of Cinfores, Mr Asawo Ibifuro said the Cinfores BrainFriend package has been the outcome of may years of hardwork and commitment.

According to him, the product is aimed at curbing learning difficulties face by students, as the software has the ability to provide support in all kinds of local and international examinations.

Calling on the people of the state and region to embrace the package, Mr Ibifuro expressed the hope that the educational performance of students in the area would improve, including exposure to IT activities.

Meanwhile, the authorities in the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) have disclosed plans to install about 240 pieces of computers in its new IT plaza.

Making the disclosure at the public launch of Cinfores Brainfriend’ package, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Barineme Fakae said the measure is geared at raising the states profile in IT use.

He remarked that, “oil will pass away, hence we need to re-strategise how to make Rivers State to sell knowledge”.

The RSUST Vice Chancellor, while defending the rational behind the institution’ s introduction of computer usage in its post UME test said it is aimed at preparing future leaders of the state in the use of information technology.

Prof Fakae continued that it is by preparing the young ones that the state takes it rightful position in the world of technology and science.