By: Ikennna Oluka
As Africa Code Week (ACW) 2018 begins across various States in Nigeria today, Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has described the programme as engine that powers youths with digital literacy, stressing that the State will partner with the Initiators to infuse software coding into the school curriculum, according to TechEconomy.ng report.
The Governor spoke through the Deputy, Mrs. Cecelia Ezeilo at the ACW teacher training in Enugu, in preparation for the training sessions that will impact thousands of youths in the State and the country in general.
The continent-wide initiative of SAP and partners such as Google, UNESCO, BMZ, Camden Trust, Cape Town Science Centre, shall spark the interest of African children, teenagers and young adults in software coding.
It will contribute to driving sustainable economic growth in Africa.
According to Governor Ugwuanyi, “Enugu youths are the engine of economic growth in the State: digital literacy powers this engine. That is why my Administration has sought and attracted to the State this largest digital literacy initiative ever organized on the African continent.
“Enugu State Government is committed to working with stakeholders towards achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth through digital literacy.
This software coding training therefore comes as a welcome complement to the various ICT development initiates of the State Government.
We will want to work with SAP and partners to infuse software coding into our school curriculum, in line with our ICT policy.
These youths are expected to leverage the various ICT tools, skills and solutions to create wealth and improve service delivery.
“I am proud that our State has taken the lead in recognizing the need to create a special slot in the African Code Week for people with disabilities. They are represented here to be trained and empowered.
“Human capital development is as important to us as infrastructural development. Digital literacy is one of our key strategies for optimizing this vision.
“We are aware that ICT has become an indispensable and the most effective platform for rapid and sustainable development in the 21st century.
“Taking full advantage of the opportunities that ICT offers requires the implementation of sustainable measures to increase digital literacy, improve access to the internet and telecommunications infrastructure.
“We therefore embrace the vision and objectives of the African Code Week initiative.
“We will continue to offer all necessary support and cooperation to ensure that they are fully realized in Enugu State”.