The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is to construct a N500m ICT Park in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, this year.
This was revealed at First Baptist church, Ibadan, where Professor Adeolu Akande, Chairman of Nigeria communications commission (NCC) gifted the church a sum of one million naira.
In his words he said
” An ICT park comprises an area or location with a concentration of all ICT facilities which enables a concerted leap into the digital age by creating a dynamic environment in which local talent is incubated, cultivated, and shared. ICT parks are best tested and trusted institutional mechanisms to address the needs of technology-intensive, knowledge-based Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) globally.
“Essentially, the the four main objectives of establishing the ICT Parks are to provide Innovation Labs and Digital Fabrication Laboratories (Fablabs) for use by innovators and entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into products and prototypes; provide a Commercial Hub for ICT capacity building and digital skills; create employment and entrepreneurial activities; facilitate smart city deployment across the Digital Industrial complex”, according to the NCC.In summary, the park will help ease the unemployment problem faced by our youths in Oyo State.
“It is driven by the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to open opportunities for Nigerian youths to become the best they can in the world of ICT. This is sequel to the great exploits of Nigerian youths in the sector.
“It is important to note that the telecommunications sector contributed 13.4 percent to the nation’s GDP last year, stamping its authority as the best performing sector.
” The NCC is almost completing a Knowledge Service Centre at the Alayande College of Education Oyo, and will provide campus-wide internet facility at the Oke Ogun Polythecnic this year. Many secondary schools in Ogbomosho, Ibarapa,Oyo,Ibadan and Oke Ogun will also be beneficiaries of Kniwledge Service Centres to be provided by the commission this year.
“All hands must be on deck to produce students who cannot only read and write but who are also digital literate. As it is said, “the illetrates of the future are not those who cannot read and write but those who are not digital literate”.