In a bid to compete favourably in information technology with other members of the international community, the Computer Science Department, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), recently organised a 3-day programme organised at the University main Auditorium in Port Harcourt, to showcase the progress and achievements recorded in the Computer Science Department to the international community.
Speaking in an interview with The Tide correspondent, the Dean, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences,  IAUE, Professor Ozioma Ekpete stated that the Computer Science department in IAUE intends to showcase her skills and talents to the larger society.
Prof Ekpete said that today everyone is struggling to meet up with the 21st Century challenges, noting that the world at large is talking about Information Technology (IT) as such IAUE is now IT based, ready to compete favourably with their counterparts across the globe.
“We have so many students in the Computer Science Department and would not want the knowledge they have garnered to end only in paper and chalk, and that is why we are ready to showcase these students to the world that they have made the University proud by going digital and ready to compete favourably with their counterparts across the globe.
“All these are made possible because of the efforts of the Vice Chancellor and his management team to put in place a beautiful computer laboratory edifice that has contributed heavily to their knowledge as they sit and learn new ideas, innovations, skills, among others”.
The keynote speaker, President, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Professor Adesina Sodiya stated that NCS is really concerned about development of Information Communication Technology in Nigeria as such would do all it can to ensure everyone, especially students embraced the digital age.
Prof Sodiya said Nigeria must take up the opportunity to own new innovations to boost the world economy, while stressing on the need for governments at all levels in Nigeria to put all machineries in place to ensure citizens embrace the ICT development in their various states.

By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

The Olusegun Coding Class has said coding skills will make children to be globally competitive.
Co-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, SR IPD Logistics Company, Mr Olusegun Idowu, said this during the graduation ceremony of 150 students who participated in the 10-day Olusegun Coding 2.0 robotics school held at Obalende Local Council Development Area in Lagos State.
The participants were school children trained in various computer skills, including web development, robotics, game development, graphics design, scratch programme, artificial intelligence, and computer coding.
The training was held in collaboration with Fosters Private Schools, Lagos.
Idowu  encouraged the participants to be dedicated to the various skills they learned.
He said, “The coding initiative is a means of using education to reduce poverty, and unemployment because when the children have these skills, it will enable them to be competitive globally. They will have the skills to work remotely against crime and that’s the essence of Olusegun Coding Class.”
“In the first edition last year, we had about 120 children who participated and the impact was enormous. Today, the winner of last year’s edition was here and expressed himself confidently on his knowledge of website development, robotics, and AI.
“The government needs to introduce and start teaching coding in public schools. They also need to train public school teachers in Information Technology so that they will be able to teach their learners.”
Director, Fosters Private Schools, Lagos, Mr Patrick Foster, revealed that over 500 children applied for the training but 150 qualified for the entrance examination.
Deputy Governor of Lagos State Obafemi Hamzat, who was represented by Mr Wasiu Jimoh, added, “Technology is the future and the children are the future. This is an environment where the ‘future meets the future.’ Although two weeks cannot be enough to learn these skills, but it is more than enough to stimulate your interest in this very dynamic world that holds a lot of benefits.”

The Management of Rivers State University (RSU) has ordered the immediate suspension of the 2023 Student Union Government (SUG) week-long activities following the death of a student during the Jean Carnival.
A statement signed by the RSU Registrar, Dr Sydney Enyindah, and made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt, confirmed the suspension of the other activities to mark the students’ week.
According to the statement, “Following the unfortunate and sad incident which occurred during the ‘Jeans Carnival,’ on Tuesday, 5th September 2023, resulting in the death of a student, the Management of the University has directed the immediate suspension of the remaining activities of the Student Union Week.”
An eyewitness who pleaded for anonymity said the student was sitting on the window of a moving vehicle during the Jeans Carnival before he lost balance and fell off.
He was immediately rescheduled to the hospital, but died later due to severe injuries.
Meanwhile, the parents of the deceased fresh student said they suspect foul play, and called on the university authority to carry out a thorough investigation to ascertain the true cause of their son’s death.
In a related development, the SUG on its social media handle has frowned at the sudden suspension of the Students’ Week, saying that the suspension was unnecessary.
The Tide gathered that the SUG did not take into considerations the precautionary safety measures not to have allowed the deceased to sit on the window of a moving vehicle.

By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana