First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Chairperson of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has commissioned a new Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Community Centre at the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.
This project, a collaboration between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and RHI, is part of the First Lady’s commitment to social investment and bridging the digital divide.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Senator Tinubu praised NITDA for its efforts, noting that this is the second such center established in partnership with RHI, with similar centers in Benue and Oyo states soon to be commissioned.
She also announced that five other Digital Economy Centres have been fully equipped in Jigawa, Ebonyi, Cross River, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory, with ten more centers in Abia, Edo, Delta, Ondo, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Yobe, and Zamfara nearing completion.
The First Lady emphasized the importance of ICT skills for empowering communities, particularly women. She expressed her delight in the positive impact these centers are having on women and girls, providing them with opportunities for education, self-reliance, and participation in the global economy. Senator Tinubu urged community members to take ownership of the center and utilize its resources effectively.
Kwara State Governor, Malam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, expressed his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the First Lady, and NITDA for the “impactful initiative,” highlighting the importance of investing in technology skills and infrastructure for the future.
NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, described the center as a pivotal step towards strengthening the digital economy and enhancing digital literacy. He emphasized the center’s state-of-the-art facilities, designed to provide smart, interactive learning experiences. Inuwa reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to leveraging digital innovation for national prosperity and inclusivity, particularly in education. He also highlighted the First Lady’s focus on empowering women, vulnerable groups, and students.
Inuwa outlined NITDA’s broader digital literacy initiative, which includes curriculum development for primary and secondary schools and teacher training programs. The newly commissioned center is equipped with 48 computer sets, e-learning facilities, alternative power, internet access, and other ICT resources.
The event was attended by numerous dignitaries, including Imo State Governor, Chief Hope Uzodinma, the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, and other prominent figures.