Participants
LAGOS – It was all joy last Wednesday as the Kwara State government concluded its six-week summer coding boot camp. The participants, all youth, and their parents and relations were all filled with joy, even as the government celebrated the participants, who were also empowered for a better future.
The project, tagged the Kwara State Free Summer Coding and Digital Literacy Boot Camp (2024 edition) attracted a lot of participants from different parts of the state.
During the closing event, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq restated his administration’s commitment to talent discovery and investment in youth development.
The programme, according to information made available to Sunday Independent, was organised by the Office of the Special Assistant on Digital Innovations, Hon Kayode Ishola. The programme took place simultaneously in six different centres across the state during the school holiday.
According to Mashood, Abdulrafiu Agboola, Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Government House, Ilorin, these centres include Ansarul Islam School, Gure, Baruten LGA and Etsu Maman Junior School, Batapon, both in Edu LGA; Queen Elizabeth School, Ilorin (Ilorin West); Government Secondary School Afon (Asa); Offa Grammar School, Offa, (Offa) and Government Secondary School, Omu-Aran, in Irepodun LGA respectively.
At the closing ceremony in Ilorin, Governor AbdulRazaq expressed his joy and satisfaction with what he called a brilliant performance by the participants, especially during the exhibition stage.
He said the session was a further signal that there is hope for a better future for Nigeria, especially in the digital space.
Governor AbdulRazaq stated: “This is the first free digital coding programme for the students to display their talents like this. It is really amazing and I must commend the Office of the Special Assistant on Digital Innovation for this laudable initiative.”
Governor AbdulRazaq, who spoke through the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, who represented him.
Governor AbdulRazaq pledged that his administration would continue to create an enabling environment for youth development and talent discovery with a view to producing youths with global citizenship.
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The ceremony featured prize presentations for the outstanding students and colourful exhibitions by the participants on Google Template, Software Development, Budget Planner, and Traffic Light System built from scratch, among other projects.
Dignitaries at the event included a member of Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon Rukayat Motunrayo Shittu; Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon Usman Lade; Commissioner for Environment, Hon Nafisat Buge; Special Adviser on Education, Dr Adetola Salahu; Special Assistant to the Governor on Humanitarian Affairs, Hon Abdulateef Adebara. Also, there were dozens of students and teachers as well as parents of the participants.
The Special Adviser on Education, Dr Adetola Salahu, on her part, described the programme as a laudable initiative, which she assured would promote youth development in the digital space.
She urged the participants to make good use of the knowledge they have gained during the coding class.
The Special Assistant on Digital Innovations, Hon Kayode Ishola, in his remarks, said the programme showcased the immense potential of the youths and the boundless opportunities that digital literacy and technology could unlock.
“In a world where the language of innovation is code, and where the future is shaped by technology, we must equip our young people with the tools they need to compete on a global scale,” he said.
He added: “The importance of digital skills acquisition cannot be overstated. It is the foundation upon which the future of work, communication, and creativity will be built. By providing our youth with the skills to innovate, create, and problem-solve, we are preparing them not only for careers in technology, but also for leadership in every sector of society.”
He commended the visionary leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who he stressed, is committed to building a Kwara that is powered by innovation and technology.
He also appreciated the contributions and support of various MDAs, organisations, partners, and individuals who made immense contributions to the success of the programme.
“This administration recognises that the future belongs to those who can harness the power of technology, and it is laying the groundwork for a state where young people are not just consumers of technology but creators and innovators.
“Under the leadership of Governor AbdulRazaq, Kwara is fast becoming a state where our students, even at the secondary school level, are being empowered with digital skills that will enable them to compete favourably with their peers across the globe,” he added.
The keynote speakers, Prof Abiodun Musa Aibinu, who is the Vice Chancellor, Summit University, Offa, and Co-Founder, CyBlack, Dr Iretioluwa Akerele, in their separate submissions, stressed the need for Nigerian youths to harness the digital space in order to become global citizens.
