Abuja – Sept. 27, 2024(TheGavel) – In a significant move to enhance the technical and vocational skills of young Nigerians, the Federal Government has distributed laptops to selected public school students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The initiative, aimed at promoting digital literacy and entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths, is part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s broader agenda to foster skill development and self-reliance.
Ms. Abiola Arogundade, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Education, made this known at a ceremony held in Abuja. The event, organized by her office in partnership with Afrifone Nigeria Limited, marked the presentation of 50 laptops to deserving Junior Secondary School students of Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, FCT.
Afrifone Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s first mobile device and tablet assembly plant, incorporated in 2016, collaborated with the government in this impactful initiative. Arogundade emphasized that the laptop distribution aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to equip five million Nigerians annually with critical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
“The president had, at the beginning of this administration, mandated relevant Federal Government agencies, including my office, to train five million Nigerians annually in diverse skills,” Arogundade said. “Not only to make them employable, but also enable them to be self-employed after graduation. It is one of the pillars of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
According to Arogundade, the donation is part of a larger strategy to empower students with practical technical skills, bridging the gap between theoretical education and hands-on experience in an increasingly technology-driven world. She noted that the current event was the second in a series that began in July 2024, focused on fostering innovation in technical, vocational, and entrepreneurship education.
“This initiative is part of the president’s vision to empower Nigerian youth with the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly changing, tech-based global economy. Today’s donation is to empower the students to develop their technical and vocational skills in line with that presidential mandate,” Arogundade added.
She further stated that the goal is to transition Nigeria’s education system from being theory-dominant to more practical and skill-based learning, ensuring students are well-equipped to compete on a global stage. She urged the recipients to use the opportunity to shape their future, assuring them that those who were not selected would benefit from subsequent distributions.
Speaking on behalf of Afrifone Nigeria Limited, Ms. Judith Okafor, the company’s Human Resources Manager, reiterated the organization’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s technological capabilities and youth empowerment.
“Today, I am thrilled to announce our participation in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, a visionary initiative aimed at fostering skills development and entrepreneurship among Nigerian youth,” Okafor said. “As part of this partnership, Afrifone Ltd will be empowering some talented technical students with our state-of-the-art Afrifone Tablets, which function as mini-laptops, providing these young minds with the tools they need to thrive in the digital age.”
She added that Afrifone’s support goes beyond the provision of hardware. The company plans to offer technical training and skill acquisition programs, positioning Nigeria as a technological hub in the future. Okafor emphasized that the partnership with the Federal Government is critical in driving long-term impact and called on other private sector stakeholders to join in creating more opportunities for the nation’s youth.
“Our partnership with the Federal Government aligns perfectly with our company’s vision of a technologically empowered Nigeria. By combining government’s reach and resources with Afrifone’s technological expertise and training capabilities, we will be creating a powerful synergy that will drive real change in our society,” Okafor said.
The event was also graced by the principal of Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, Mr. Abiodun Ogunshaki, who encouraged the students to make the most of the opportunity. In his address, Ogunshaki praised the government and Afrifone for their contributions, expressing hope for Nigeria’s future despite the challenges the country currently faces.
“We thank you very much for this noble contribution; with this, we see hope at the end of the horizon,” Ogunshaki remarked, calling for collective efforts to move Nigeria forward.
The Federal Government’s laptop distribution initiative is expected to continue, with further phases to cover more schools and students across Nigeria. (NAN)
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