REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
Students of Federal Polytechnic Oko and other youths in Anambra State have described the newly inaugurated Information Communication Technology ,ICT Center in the institution as a landmark investment in digital transformation in the South-East zone.
The facility built under the Renewed Hope Initiatives and TETfund’s Six Billion Naira Zonal Programme was inaugurated on Thursday last week by the First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu during her visit to Anambra State.
The Students in their reactions believed that the building of the Centre at time when the administration of President Bola Tinubu is making effort to ensure that the country embraces digital technology which has become a huge source of employment and service delivery globally will turn Federal Polytechnic Oko into a major hub for digital knowledge in South East Nigeria and beyond.
According them ,the facility will expand access to modern computing resources and structured digital skills training that many students and youths previously lacked due to limited personal devices, high cost of data and inadequate information Technology Communication facilities.
A student and former Vice President of the student’s union government of the institution, Miss Mary Jane Nweke said that the center would create an improved environment for quality learning, research and technical development as well as help students to gain practical knowledge and access to ICT resources that would support their academic works.
” We are particularly excited because this is not just about having a new facility,it’s about creating opportunities for us to become more digitally equipped, competitive and better prepared for the future. “
A student of Mass Communication Department in the Polytechnic, Daniel Uwomano and Paul Nwankwor from Public Administration department said the facility would encourage more students to become creative , innovative and develop confidence in using modern technology in solving issues.
“the Experience center provides us with an environment where we can learn and develop skills such as artificial intelligence engineering, computer appreciation , digital innovation and other emerging technology. It will help us improve our compute and digital skills which are very important in today’s world and will also make us more prepared for the job market after graduation. “
One of the staff of the institution, Mr Francis Epkone, described the centre as laudable and commended the federal government for the initiative, stressing that it will help other young Nigerians interested in digital technology who are not students of the school.
” for some of us who are the non teaching staff, it will enhance communication and administrative processes. The ICT centre represents an investment in the human capacity of the polytechnic.”
In an interview, the Director ICT , Federal polytechnic, Oko, Doctor Amobi Chiamaogu said the center is a launch pad for artificial intelligence engineering, coding , digital literacy and emphasised that it would serve as a platform for youth empowerment, and catalyst for digital transformation across the south East zone.
” The ICT experience Centre is more than a facility, it is a platform for innovation, entrepreneurship, youth and women empowerment and a catalyst for digital transformation across the South East.”
The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr Chioma Awuzie,described the ICT Experience Centre as signpost achievement for the institution and the Federal government.
” For the maintenance and sustainability, the ICT experience Centre will be powered by Solara and we plan to partner with some ICT professionals that will mann the center for it to be sustainable.”
Dr Awuzie. noted that the facility would promote digital skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, innovation, employment opportunities and access to educational resources.
