Odubiyi canvasses development of ICT for e-learning in schools

Olufemi Odubiyi

Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Olufemi Odubiyi, has stressed the importance of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in encouraging and fostering e-learning in schools.

Speaking during the renovation of a 16-seater ICT centre by SAP Africa, in partnership with Ayeci Africa, he noted that with the limitless opportunities in ICT, its imperativeness for e-learning cannot be over-emphasised.

Represented by Mr. Jide Adenuga, the commissioner informed that “as part of efforts to encourage e-learning, the Lagos State government established the digital village. The state government has also established digital training projects to empower youths and over 1, 000 youths of various constituencies in the state have signed up for the projects. We have also commenced website design training for students of both public and private schools in the state. They were taught how to design websites and one of the participants designed a website for UNESCO.

He further stated that the ICT centre, which was donated to Lagos State Model Primary School, GRA Ikeja Lagos, would serve no fewer than 3,000 students in Ikeja and environs.

e further added that, “ICT is a fast-growing sector with limitless opportunities for local and international investments. So, government and other stakeholders need to do more in promoting ICT skills in not just primary, but secondary and tertiary institutions.”

Managing Director SAP West Africa, Mr. Kudzai Danha, in his remarks noted that his firm decided to finance the project “because SAP as a technology company, was working in line with the directive of state and local government to include ICT in schools’ curriculum. We decided to do this in order to support the government. We also installed a brand new 3.5KVA generator to power the systems.

Represented by the firm’s West Africa Marketing Manager, Juliet Omorodion, Danha further stated that the initiative “is definitely going to improve the learning experience of the students.”

Chairman, Parents Forum of the school, Mr. Asigo John, in his response expressed happiness over the renovation, describing that the new centre was a befitting one.