By Sarauniya g Usman, Abuja
The National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA), and Centre for Information and Technology Development (CITAD), commissioned School of Network Community (SCN) initiative with a view of connecting people from different communities and promoting access to internet especially in rural areas across the country.
The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, revealed that 50 out of the 200 participants in the ongoing School of Community Network (SCN) Project will receive a Diploma in Advanced IT across 10 communities in 10 states.
Inuwa who was represented by Mr. Preye Itonyo, Deputy Director, Digital Economy Development Department, made this known at the virtual opening ceremony for the Second Phase of the School of Community Network (SCN) Project implemented by NITDA in collaboration with the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD).
He said, “This training, starting from today will span a period of 3 weeks. The first 2 weeks will be dedicated to training on the basics of IT and upon completion, you will all receive certificates in IT”.
“Subsequently, you will all be subjected to an examination and the best 50 participants from all the select communities will be shortlisted to participate in the Advanced Class which will be completed on the third week”.
“This means that only five of you within each community will be shortlisted for the advanced class. Once the advanced class completes, all participants will receive a Diploma in Advanced IT”, Inuwa explained.
He added that the second phase of this project is a sequel to the first phase and the trainees that were trained during the first phase will transfer knowledge to 20 participants in 10 communities across 10 different states.
The project which is taking place in Kano, Jigawa, Kwara, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Bauchi, Borno, Kastina, and Gombe states will have about 360 people trained in one month.
According to the DG, “the whole essence of this project is to provide all of you with relevant digital literacy and skills to build and sustain computer networks within your communities.”
He averred that this will help improve broadband and information access in their various communities and also help close the digital divide between their communities and the urban areas; considering that broadband penetration in Nigeria stands at 44.5%.
The Executive Director, CITAD, Engr Y.Z Ya’u, during his speech said that the training is part of promoting digital inclusion, noting that after the training, participants will be able to join millions of people who work online and can utilise the internet for various purposes including cutting-edge skills that can make them not just employable but employers of labour.
“Our hope is not just that you learn but that you utilise all you have learned”, Engr Ya’u said.
The SCN project will also help prepare citizens within these communities for the fourth industrial revolution which will be driven by digital technology and digital skills.