News
UNIPORT: 301 Youths Benefit From Holiday Programme On ICT
No fewer than 301 youths have benefitted from the one-month holiday programme on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) organised by the Centre for Information and Telecommunication Engineering (CITE), at the University of Port Harcourt.
The programme which was christened “Catch Them Young Digital Boot Camp” was designed to equip young individuals with essential skills on emerging digital realities and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
Speaking during the graduation/exhibition ceremony, the Director of CITE, Prof. Bourdillon Omijeh, explained that the “Catch Them Young Digital Boot Camp” was more than a traditional holiday ICT training programme.
According to him, it is a life-changing, impactful, and career-driven experience aimed at preparing participants for the evolving digital landscape.
He said the programme is a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative; not profit-driven, providing both privileged and less privileged youths equal access to digital education.
“This inclusivity enables participants to tap into the vast economic opportunities offered by the ongoing AI revolution.
“The Boot Camp trained about 301 participants, including about 190 males and 111 females, in various digital skills such as UI/UX, web development, mobile app development, coding, robotics, embedded systems, IoT, Drone technology, 3D design and printing, Microsoft Office packages, Python Programming, Data science, and Machine learning”, he said.
Professor Omijeh emphasised that the platform not only builds digital skills but also sharpens the vision, activates potential, and nurtures creativity and innovation in the participants, preparing them for excellence in their future careers.
He thanked the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Owunari Abraham Georgewill, for his continuous support for the Catch Them Young programme.
He also expressed appreciation to the parents, partners, and friends who contributed to the success of the initiative.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt commended the CITE team for their efforts in promoting digital literacy among young people and praised Professor Omijeh for his visionary leadership.
Also speaking, the Regional Coordinator of the National Information, Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Bernard Ewah, pledged NITDA’s continous support for CITE’s vision.
Mr. Chinedu Ikejiani of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) who represented the General Manager, Research, Stats and Development of NCDMB, Mr. Silas O. Ajimijaye, affirmed his organization’s commitment to supporting the initiative.
The Director of ICT, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Engr. Emeka Ani, who was represented by the Deputy Director of Information and Technology, NDDC, Engr. Patrick Isicheli, reiterated the Commission’s dedication to the programme and lauded Prof. Omijeh for his passion in promoting digital literacy in the Niger Delta region.
The Technical Manager of MTN, South-South, Dr. Theophilus, who has been an industry mentor in CITE also expressed satisfaction with the programme.
The graduands displayed their knowledge and skills on the CTY SCHOOL App, TICTAC TOE GAME App, CTY SCHOOL Website, Design of Website station, Design of an attendance system, and Design of an automated green house watering system(smart farm),
Design of gesture-controlled Robot Car, Design and implementation of an obstacle avoiding robot, Design and implementation of a remote and voice-controlled Robot car.
Others were Design and implementation of an industrial distribution robots, Design and implementation of a smart home automation robots, Design and implementation of a line following robot, Flash card design, Age Calculator, Tic tac toe game, Analog clock, Count down timer, etc.
The Tide source reports that “Catch Them Young Digital Boot Camp” which commenced from July 29, 2024, to September 7, 2024, has proven to be an invaluable platform for empowering young people with digital skills, preparing them to harness the economic benefits of the digital age.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.