FG Assures On High Digital Literacy Drive

The Federal Government has affirmed that its plan to attain 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030 is  still on course.
Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashufu Abdullahi, gave the assurance during the graduation ceremony of 50 children, including 10 Almajiri children at the Engausa Global Tech Hub in Kano recently.
The  Tide’s source learnt that the Engausa Global Tech Hub is an incubation centre, currently working in collaboration with NITDA in Kano.
“These young children have been intensively trained at their early stage, using the Hausa Language in building their skills in digital technology, Computer Networking, Installation of CCTV cameras, Graphic Design, innovative creativity, among others,” he said.
Abdullahi also revealed that the centre in 2021, also trained over 700 young boys who were selected from various rural communities in the state.
“As a result of this intervention, in 2021, we have been able to expand the collaboration and we are going to do more this year to see how we can help the less privileged children to have access to technology.
“One of our mandates is to implement the policy under the National Digital Economy Policy for digital Nigeria to a logical conclusion in achieving the 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030”, he said.
He further noted that the  government cannot do it alone, hence the need to partner with centres like Engausa to achieve the aim.
“We are also looking at how we can assist the children who have participated in this programme to start their own businesses,” he added.
Earlier, the founder of the centre, Mustapha Ringim, confirmed that the centre was out to bridge the productivity gap in young people, especially those who cannot make it to formal schools.
“I realized that there are a lot of things that I can offer to the community concerning breaking some barriers and bridging some gaps which are limiting the productivity of our youth at the grassroots”, he said.
Ringim was of   the view that the Almajiri children and the school-drop outs who cannot continue their studies due to lack of proficiency in the English  Language, among other things was the main target of the centre.
“Language should not be a barrier to achieving one’s dream.There are a lot of developments in countries that are not using the English Language as a medium of learning skills, like European countries where English is not well-spoken, but technology, innovation and creativity are flourishing in the country”, he said.
According to him,   English Language should not be considered as  the only medium of learning skills or  the only medium of prosperity when it comes to knowledge.
English Language, he reasoned, should not deprive someone of practising his or her skills.