I am pleased to join you today on the occasion of the opening ceremony of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Empowerment Training & Provision of Tools for Women in the North Central Zone, organized by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) taking place here in Lafia, the State Capital.
I wish to warmly welcome the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Malam Kashif
Inuwa Abdullahi and members of his entourage to Nasarawa State for this
auspicious event.
Let me commend the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for the choice of Nasarawa State to host this all-important programme. This is, no doubt, an acknowledgement of our modest efforts toward making Nasarawa State an ICT driven society through technological innovations.
It is pertinent to state that, ICT has become a veritable vehicle that stimulates the national economy by way of creang access to the internet, improve education, facilitates skill acquisition offers opportunities for new businesses, creation of new market outlets, as well as health and financial services.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me state that the 21st century development must be associated with technological innovations. It is for this reason that it has become imperative to empower women through the ICT for self-reliance. This is considering the fact that women are under represented as entrepreneurs and business
managers, hence the imperativeness of reducing the digital divide through this all-important techpreneurship programme.
Perhaps, I need to add that this Administration places a high premium on technology innovation as a driver for development. It is for this reason that we have committed
30% of the Nasarawa State 2020 Budget to Science Education and ICT. This is in furtherance of our desire to empower girls and young women to consider studies and
careers in the growing field of ICT, thereby enabling both girls and technology companies to reap the benefits of greater female partition in the ICT sector. We are committed to the necessity of closing the gap. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, considering the relevance of technology innovation, this Administration has commenced the rehabilitation and furnishing of the existing structure at the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centre as a pilot project. Similarly,
arrangements have been concluded for the construction of Technology Innovation Hubs in Lafia, Akwanga, Keffi and Karu Local Government Areas of the State. I am happy to
inform you that we have acquired 21 hectares of land along Keffi-Karu axis for this purpose. To consolidate on our effort toward knowledge and technological driven society, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has provided equipment worth over N200 Million which were installed at the JAMB Centre provided by the Government.
At this juncture, let me commend the National Informaon Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for donating 100 laptops for the Lafia ICT hub. I wish to also express our profound appreciation to NITDA for approving the construction of computer laboratories in three of our educational institutions. Let me assure the NITDA of our continued support and collaboration in our determination to make our dear State an ICT driven State.
Before concluding these remarks, let me call on participants to utilize the privilege of this programme to gain ICT knowledge toward building an information technology
society to ensure inclusiveness in the emerging digital revolution.
Thank you and may God bless us all.
