Rivers And ICT Initiatives

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) seems to
have come to stay in Rivers State. For about two years now, the state
government has sustained the progamme by ensuring that all the needed tools and
instructors are provided to keep ICT afloat in the state.

When the state government introduced ICT scheme in 2010,
there was fear that the programme might end up as another money wasting
venture. Today however, the progamme has become that biblical mustard seed that
grew to become the tallest tree that provides shelter for unemployed youths in
the state.

Besides the civil servants who have acquired free ICT
training, the scheme has produced not less than 900 ICT experts.

During the closing ceremony of the third edition of the ICT
Farm held on August 30, 2012 in Port Harcourt, about 300 students drawn from
all parts of the country, who are resident in the state, enjoyed free ICT and
vocational training. Social live skills among other things were taught during
the programme with the aim of exposing the children to all aspects of life.

The state ICT Director, Chief Goodlife Nmekini who spoke at
the event, said, arrangements were in top gear to take the ICT training to
every part of the state.

He also told the participants that ICT was needed in all
aspect of live and could actually enhance anyone’s field of endeavour.

One of the state government’s partners on ICT, Equipment
Hall, evaluated the scheme and said its partnership with the Rivers State ICT
department is not in futility. The Managing Director of the company, Babolahan
Olayomi, said the value for the partnership was very much pronounced such that
it was tempted to increase its stake in the venture.

Olayomi, describing the beneficiaries of the ICT Farm as
fortunate, noted the programme has also left a document (the certificate
issued) that can speak for them in the future, and as well placed them at a
vintage position than their peers who are yet to embrace the ICT world.

According to him, the investment in ICT will bring a
positive turn- around  and as well
attract investors to the state.

A seasoned politician in the state, Hon. Ogezi Boms noted
that given the quality of ICT training in the state, the state can now
confidently compete with any part of the world. According to him, the rapid
growth of the department (ICT), s a clear indication that the governor is
determined to place the state top among other states of the federation.

Hon. Boms was optimistic
that the state would soon produce ICT ambassadors who will defend the
state in any part of the globe. He however, charged the students, civil
servants and others who have passed through the ICT Farm, to prove themselves
wherever they are called to defend the state in any ICT related matter.

Nelson Amadi Chizi, Chukwuma Wala, Solomon Chimbiko Boms,
Chris Iringe, and others who soared high above their equals in their respective
classes were full of praises for Governor Aamechi over the ICT initiatives.
They said the progamme has given them a sense of belonging in the state.

Regretting why previous administration in the state had not
taken such initiatives, the students expressed hope that the programme would
not suffer setback given priority attention it currently receives from the
state government.

Amadi Menakai, who
also attended the 2012 free ICT Farm, recalled how his training has enhanced
his knowledge on ICT. Amadi appealed that such gestures be extended to the
rural areas to encourage ICT learning.

Menakai who is a Senior Secondary School student also
suggested that ICT teachers be recruited by the government in order to sustain
what is currently on ground.

Winners at this year’s ICT Farm,  smiled home with 13 laptops. Eight of the
laptops went to ICT top eight performers, while five went to five top
performers of the social live skills. Over 100 school bags were also given as
consolation prices.

The ICT crew who went extra miles in this year’s programme,
seriously touched both the moral aspects of the students as well as the
educational aspects. The crew also showed a strong zeal to boost the image of
the state and the country at large.

Just recently, the ICT department introduced a lot of
programmes such asRivCloud, Interconnectivity, as well as Conference Bridge,
all in a bid to write the name of Rivers State in gold through the ICT.

Governor Amaechi who spoke through his Special Assistant on
ICT, explained how the ICT Farm would produce entrepreneurs and employers of
labour. He told students that the era of depending on the government for
everything was gone, saying people should push for innovations and see how best
they can be self-independent.

The governor also charged the students to be prepared to
write examinations online and as well get set to compete with their peers
outside the state. He expressed optimism that they would not be local
champions, but renowned ICT experts that can challenge their equals in any part
of the world.

To achieve this, he said arrangements are in top gear to
have ICT centres in different locations in the state.

Indeed, if Governor Amaechi’s dream translates into reality,
it means Rivers State will soon be exporting ICT experts to other parts of the
world.