Tuesday, November 28, 2006

AfriHUB and Digital Bridge Institute delivers the Digital Awareness Programme



Digital Awareness Programme (DAP), a project of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Abuja in conjunction with Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) designed to introduce secondary school students (especially those in the rural areas) in Nigeria on the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools kicked off last week in Anambra and Enugu States (Eastern part of Nigeria). The training is being delivered by AfriHUB, a leading ICT training and solution provider in Nigeria. Earlier, the Nigeria Communication Commission, major sponsor of the DAP Project, had kitted 53 secondary schools in Nigeria with 20 new computer systems and accessories complete with a KU-Band VSAT Internet link. This is a largesse that has been commended by many people across the country. However, the interesting thing about the largesse for me is the type of schools that got the equipments.

It is assumed, and many do lay claim to it for many reasons, that African children are disadvantaged. But, I have always argued that this is not totally true. As an African, living in Nigeria, I know so many of my mates whose living condition is better than some of those we hear about in other countries. It would not have interested me if the beneficiaries of the largesse from NCC had been those secondary schools attended by children of the rich in Nigeria. The NCC beneficiaries are schools with students whose eyes glowed when they had the opportunity of seeing, touching or working on a digital equipment. That, in itself for me, is the motivation and joy of being among the facilitators of the project.

It looked like any other day when two of my colleagues at work and myself were told to go on a site survey to see the state of the equipment supplied to the school and ensure that they are in good working condition for the project to commence. Getting to the two of the schools, Queens Comprehensive High School and Union Secondary School, both in Enugu, my first thought was how the schools got the attention of NCC. Now, I know anyway (J). The teachers and students of the school were all ready and have been informed of our coming. They gave us all the necessary cooperation we needed to make our work successful.

Then, last Monday, 20th November 2006, the one week training kicked off for 70 students and 10 teachers of the school. The idea is that the selected students and teachers will be able to impact the training in other students and teachers of the school.

The training for the school, Queens Comprehensive High School, ended on Friday, 24 November 2006 with a short ceremony and distribution of certificate to the participants. This was performed by Dr Ochaa of Digital Bridge Institute and Mr. Vitalis Ndu, Head of Operations of AfriHUB Nigeria in the South East.

And so, yesterday, 27 November 2006, my team moved to the next school, Union Boys Secondary School, Enugu. The training has commenced and the reception by the student and teachers has been very encouraging.

It is worthy to note that another set of AfriHUB’s facilitators have been deployed to Anambra State and are executing the project in the selected schools in the state.

From what I gathered, the NCC has promised to extend the largesse to other schools in the country.

Looking at the faces of the children as they eagerly asked and answered questions during the interactive training, my mind ran back to my secondary school days and I just wondered how it would have been if I had seen or touched a computer in my first year in secondary school. I just hope the students in the school I attended are having a better experience now. Talking about a better experience, the present training is one the students that are selected by their schools to participate in the training will not forget in a lifetime and I’m happy to be part of the effort in shaping their future. It also goes to emphasise that any opportunity to impart something positive in the lives of the younger ones should be used properly. Do not think it’s a waste of time. You’ll discover a lot of potentials in them. Nurture them and spur them on to greatness. J

Kudos to NCC! Kudos to DBI! Kudos to AfriHUB!