Renewed Hope Initiative: Mrs Tinubu Launches ICT Center in Oyo to Boost Digital Learning

…How Nigeria can create prosperity that’ll last- Makinde

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has emphasized the significance of ICT knowledge as a tool for empowering communities, especially women and girls saying the empowerment would enables them to break barriers, access new opportunities, enhance their educational prospects, participate in global economies, and support their families.

Mrs. Tinubu made this statement during the inauguration of 45 capacity National Information Technology Development Agency Community ICT centers at Oladipo Alayande School of Science in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Mrs. Tinubu noted that the commissioning of the ICT center provides an opportunity to expand digital access to citizens by equipping communities with the necessary resources to develop ICT skills.

She urged Oyo State citizens to take full ownership of the center, emphasizing that its success depends on their active participation and utilization of available resources.

“This Centre we are commissioning today is the third one. By the grace of God , the fourth, which is located in Benue State, would be ready for commissioning soon.

“Our Programme is not political. We do the work because we are all Nigerians.

And like I do say, positions would come and go; but they will ask you what you done for your people. So, all our Programmes are people-oriented. We are not biased and we are not favouring one party over the other.

“Ten additional digital economy centers are ongoing and would be ready for commissioning soon.

The knowledge of ICT serves as a significant tool for empowering communities, especially women, enabling them to break traditional barriers and access new opportunities.

“By equipping themselves with ICT skills, women and girls can enhance their educational prospects, participate in the global economy and support their families.

“Today’s commissioning presents us with another opportunity to further expand digital access to our citizens by providing the communities with the resources they require to develop ICT skills.

“I urge members of this community to take full ownership of this Centre .The success of the centre depends on your active participation and utilization of the resources available.

“At this junction, I want to appreciate the governor and his wife for the warm reception and especially for our RHI Programme in Oyo State.

Earlier, the wife of the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Tamunumini Makinde, appreciated the First Lady for her commitment to improving the living standards of average Nigerian citizens through various people-oriented programs.

She also thanked her for donating the IT Center, named after former Minister of Industry, Chief Mrs. Onikepo Akande.

She said: “Today, I am happy that the first phase of this project is done. Your Excellency, Ma, thank you for giving this to the people of Oyo State under the RHI Programme.

“I want to thank you the First Lady for naming the Centre after our Mother, Onikepo Akande. The Center is donated by NITDA in partnership with Renewed Hope Initiative, for the people of Oyo State.

“I would also like to thank my husband, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, for warmly welcoming the First Lady and her entourage to the state.

“Your Excellency, thank you for your commitment to improving the living standard of the average Nigerian citizen through various people-oriented Programmes. May God grant you a safe journey back to your destination”.

In his goodwill message, Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde emphasized the need for Nigeria to look beyond crude oil to create lasting prosperity.

He advocated for increased investment in education and entrepreneurship to align with global trends.

Governor Makinde, who appreciated the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and National Chairman of the Renewed Hope initiative as well as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for building the Centre in Oyo State, said information Technology and Artificial intelligence remained the roads to the future.

He promised that the Oyo state Government would take full advantage of the facility.

He said: I can only say thank you ma, for bringing this ICT Centre to Ibadan.

“Let me also say thank you to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

“I sent people here who gave me their independent reports. This is a quality job that you have done; it is not something that one can take for granted, especially when things are coming from far-removed standpoints.

“They can tell you that they have done it, br without good supervision, we won’t have this.

“My message is quite simple; I have heard people talk about how Nigeria does not have any business with poverty and I have asked them why. Their answers were always that we have natural resources; we have oil and solid minerals.I have always pointed out that natural resources alone cannot bring economic prosperity; there must be entrepreneurship and education.

“There must also be opportunities to grow based on where the world is going. About 50 years ago, if you had coal, you would be considered a rich country, because of the industrial revolution at that time.They were using coal to power railways and all sorts of things; there were coal power plants. But if you have coal today, it is a forgotten wealth literally.

The event also included the distribution of food items to vulnerable groups in Oyo State under the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Food Outreach Scheme.