IT Consultant Tasks FG On Youth Dev

The Federal Government
has been urged to organise more programmes that could develop the youths in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the country.
An Information Technology (IT) consultant, Engr Donatus Dike, said this in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt last Tuesday.
He said that the ICT sector was largely a youth driven environment and as such should be allowed to be embraced by young people.
Dike admitted that the federal government has made some attempts earlier on, like the ideas project spear headed by the ministry of communication technology, saying that they have the ability to do more.
He noted that he was not satisfied with what the government has done so far, as the projects on ground could only accommodate a handful of the youths especially in the area of entrepreneurship ideas.
He recalled that insufficient safe landing ground for young people in ICT, have not only prevented them from excelling in the field, but have forced them to go to other areas like sports and the entertainment industry.
The ICT consultant further urged the government to support those in ICT business with funds to sustain them in business.
Describing the youths as energetic and digital natives, he said they have enough ideas to transform the country through the use of ICT, adding that they are born into the IT world.
He said the best way to encourage growth in any sector of the economy was to invest money in it, saying that ICT is a money-venture programme.
However, he has called on politicians in the country as well as public spirited individuals to support the government and develop the ICT sector, arguing that it could provide solutions to most challenges in the country ranging from gas to power supply. ranging from gas to power supply.

Cross section of dignitries during official launching of Badiliko Digital HUBS, by Rivers State Information and Communication Technology (ICT ) Department, in partnership with British Council and Microsoft Cooperation in Rivers State ICT Centre, Port Harcourt. Photo: Egberi A. Sampson