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2020 EduTech Conference: Stakeholders Offer Solutions to E-learning Challenges
Education stakeholders who attended 2020 Edutech Conference have urged government to adopt approaches that will promote advancement of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in schools.
They said the closure of schools occasioned by covid-19 pandemic has exposed the weakness of education system in Nigeria.
Mr. Moses Imayi, managing director of Edufirst, said the role of technology in the education sector cannot be over emphasized hence there was need to encourage the future leaders to showcase innovation and creativity in their attempt to compete globally.
He averred that Edufirst mobilized students from the Federal Unity Colleges (FUCs) to the conference in order to showcase their inventions during the Covid-19 lockdown to encourage the general students to brace up for technological innovations.
The theme of the conference jointly organized by Education First Nigeria Limited (Edufirst) and the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) was “Jobs, Education and Technology: The New Normal”.
The conference paraded an array of educators in the private sector, students from our over 70 Technological Experience Centres in FUCs across the six geopolitical zones, students from the tertiary institutions, and other stakeholders.
It also featured interesting panel sessions, virtual networking sessions, virtual exhibitions, and students’ presentations.
On his part, Mr. Kayode Falowo, president and Council Chairman of NBCC, said it is imperative that Africa should rethink its vision of the future of education and take practical steps towards adopting a blended learning approach to reposition education in the continent and ensure students remain competitive in this global age.
According to him, at the onset of the pandemic, many countries in Africa had to temporarily close educational institutions in an attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19 in their respective countries.
He added that, as the world gradually readjusted to the new normal, the leadership and managers of higher education institutions across Africa have become fully aware of the imperatives of embracing change in order to sustain the viability of their academic enterprise.
Falowo noted that, “We have seen educational institutions at all levels in Nigeria and across Africa, adopt online learning platforms such as Google Learning, Udemy, Microsoft, Zoom and so on.
“However, despite efforts to ensure a seamless migration to online platforms, students continue to experience challenges in the course of their academic pursuits.
“According to UNESCO, 89% of students in sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to household computers and 82% lack internet access. This means online classes does not provide the full-fledged solution as desired”.
He disclosed that several universities across Africa, including countries such as Egypt, Ghana, South Africa and Rwanda among others have moved some of their programmes to online platforms and partnered with Telco’s to zero-rate these platforms.
He then encouraged other countries to take steps to align to this new development.
The conference had close to 2000 people in attendance at the event.
QNET, a leading global lifestyle and wellness direct selling company, has been honored with the prestigious “Direct Selling Company of the Year” award at the recent AfriTECH 4.0 Conference and Awards.
This recognition underscores QNET’s significant contributions to financial inclusion and e-commerce in Africa.
The award was presented to QNET by Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, Co-Convener of AfriTech & ATAEx Awards. Onwuegbuchi commended QNET for its unwavering commitment to empowering individuals and driving economic growth across the continent.
He highlighted the company’s innovative approach to direct selling, coupled with its focus on financial literacy and digital innovation.
Biram Fall, Regional Manager for QNET Sub-Saharan Africa, expressed his gratitude for the recognition.
He emphasized QNET’s dedication to innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation in Africa.
Fall highlighted the company’s impact on the Nigerian economy, particularly through its advanced technology and robust e-commerce platform.
“QNET’s participation in this event further solidified its position as a key player in the region’s digital transformation journey.
“We are committed to staying in Nigeria, our biggest market in Sub-Saharan Africa, and contributing to the region’s development,” Fall stated.
During his keynote speech, Fall underscored QNET’s commitment to empowering individuals through knowledge and skill development.
He highlighted the FinGreen financial literacy program, which has already trained over 1,350 young people in Nigeria to make informed financial decisions.
Fall also emphasized the potential of direct selling to drive economic growth in Africa. “Our e-commerce-driven direct-selling model provides opportunities for income generation across more than 100 countries, helping individuals pursue their goals while contributing to community growth,” he explained.
Addressing the challenges of limited banking infrastructure and cash dependency in Africa, Fall stressed the importance of financial inclusion for e-commerce growth.
He called for collaboration to accelerate financial inclusion and e-commerce growth in Africa, fostering a financially inclusive future for the continent.
Martin Ekpeke, Managing Editor of ITPulse, a leading Nigerian online Information and Communications Technology (ICT) news platform, was awarded the prestigious Digital Reporting Excellence Award at the Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards.
The award, presented by Tech Castle Foundation, recognizes Ekpeke’s exceptional coverage of cyber threats, digital privacy, and the evolving online security landscape.
“We are thrilled to honor Martin Ekpeke with the Digital Reporting Excellence Award.
“His insightful reporting has been instrumental in raising awareness about critical digital issues and empowering individuals and organizations to stay informed and protected,” said Chike Onwuegbuchi from Tech Castle Foundation.
Ekpeke expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “I am deeply honored to receive this award.
“It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire ITPulse team.
“We are committed to delivering high-quality, informative content that empowers our readers to navigate the complex digital world.”
The Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards celebrate individuals, businesses, and institutions driving digital transformation in Africa.
This year’s event brought together tech enthusiasts, regulators, and other key stakeholders in the Nigerian ICT ecosystem.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has emphasized the judiciary’s crucial role in Nigeria’s digital transformation. During the Annual Workshop for Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunications, Executive Vice Chairman Aminu Maida highlighted the judiciary’s reliance on digital tools to enhance justice delivery.
He stressed the need for special protections for telecommunication infrastructure, which faces disruptions from vandalism, theft, and restricted access.
Maida called for judicial support to implement the Presidential Order designating telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure.
This order prohibits unauthorized actions against such infrastructure without a lawful court order.
The judiciary’s role in protecting fundamental rights, enforcing digital contracts, and developing digital jurisprudence is vital for Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, commended the NCC’s efforts to protect consumers from unfair practices and emphasized the judiciary’s commitment to the telecommunications sector.
She highlighted concerns such as cybersecurity risks, consumer data protection, and the need for improved dispute resolution frameworks within the digital economy.
The workshop aims to equip judicial officers with the technical expertise required to address emerging legal challenges in telecommunications.
Nigeria’s digital economy has significant growth potential, with projected revenues of $18.30 billion by 2026, expected to create employment opportunities, reduce poverty, and promote innovation.
The NCC is working with key stakeholders to ensure the seamless implementation of the Presidential Order and to keep Nigeria competitive in the global digital economy.
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