Social development Experts in the have charged youths in the Nigeria on the need to leverage on the digital space for information communication and technology ( ICT) in order to make global impact and develop capabilities that make room for success through collaboration and empowerment. He made the call at the commemoration of the 2nd edition of Kiddies Mirror Initiative [KMI] International boys day in conjunction Foliotech Institute with the theme “ Building the Tech Savvy youth of the future “ held in Lagbansa Ajah Lagos.
Representing Mr.Folahan Olumide, Chief Executive Officer Foliotech Institute,Mr. Tunde Olayode Director of Studies emphasized that education is the bedrock of development.
He also appealed to government at the state and federal levels in Nigeria to integrate technology in education in order to expand access to learning and ensure inclusion.
The event empowered boys on career awareness, IT, child rights laws, domestic violence /Abuse and talks on Etiquette for 13-19 years olds.
He pointed that Folio tech Institute, a science, technology and visual arts academy, has intensive technical skills training on science and technology for prospective trainees to meet local and international standards.
The course contents include plumbing and pipefitting, welding and fabrications, electrical installations and maintenance, automobile maintenance wood-work construction technologies, fashion designing, ICT and entrepreneurship training, among others.
As former UNICEF Executive boss, Olayode added that UNICEF has been partnering the Federal Ministry of Education and other countries globally in deploying the learning and the provision of ICT infrastructure needed in establishing ICT hubs.
The special guest of honour, Mr. Victor Omoregbe Co- founder E- Patient who spoke to clusters of 50 boys from different tribes, background , class culture by interacting with them to carefully explore and develop their potentials to the fullest benefit and for future generations.
He further noted that technology fused with learning is fast becoming a lifestyle that truly reflects the world, emphasizing the significance of technology to education. He noted that the concept of learning is fast-changing as many digital devices have provided learning opportunities for children in a more interactive, customized and student-centered manner.
”Technology is as good as how we localize it or how we make it to be student-centered. Apart from that, learning should be localized to the reality of the child.” he added.
Omoregbe maintained that the interactive meeting motivates students to gain IT knowledge and how to harness the power that lies within them as transformational leaders for global impact.
On Air Personality Max FM and life coach Mark Otabor advised the boys to be of good conduct to parents and society. According to him, they should resist negative peer pressure that could lead to crime, violence and recklessness.
Otabor advised the boys to see their fellow males, as brothers and not as rivals, He encouraged them to pursue their vision and support each other for peaceful communities, cities and nation. He concluded that the boys should build strong relationships with families and as well learn to know how to connect with people, maintain good relationships through building great networks, now and in future.
The Langbasa Station Police representative was also present at the event. He assured them of the support of force stating , “The Police is our Friend”, we have the human rights department that address issues of domestic violence, abuse, child right laws among others. Ekong urged them to be of good conduct and law -abiding citizens in their communities.
He added the government and Police Force is available to protect the children and family against crime, lives and property.
According to him, the forum will help boys transform into happy, hardworking and fulfilled men who would be measured by many lives they have impacted positively. He charged them to lead the Godly life and impact their world.
Another speaker Mr Tony Obi , noted that though the enrolment rate of school children in Nigeria is at an increasing pace, the reality on the ground revealed that the figure has not translated to improved learning outcomes as a great proportion of the children still lack basic literacy and numeracy skills.
Highlighting the current educational system, he said ‘’the time has come for a total reform of the sector if the country is serious about global competitiveness. It is important for all concerned stakeholders, including government to rise to the occasion by embracing technology as a veritable tool to address the challenge’’. He said.
ln his remarks, he stated that technology remains a key driver in increasing access to education, considering the age we live in. He described technology as a great enabler to learning for all categories of children especially with the increasing access to mobile phones in Nigeria.
