The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commissioned more projects under its Digital Access Programme (DAP) aimed at impacting digital knowledge to over 10,000 school girls drawn from five schools in Agege, Lagos State.
The DAP facilities located at Girls Senior High School, Agege Local Government Area, Lagos State, are part of the programmes which NCC introduced to bridge the digital divide existing in secondary schools in Nigeria.
The programme concept is a designation of a classroom fully equipped with computers and other ICT facilities including a generator and internet connection to enable the schools and its immediate environment to have access to the internet.
According to Dr. Eugene Juwah, executive vice chairman of NCC represented by Mr. Fidelis Onah, director, Human Capital and Infrastructure (Development) at the Commission, “Many of the secondary schools, including those in remote villages of this country have testified of how this programme have facilitated their online examination activities such as subscription to Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO), among other examinations”.
“The idea,” he said, “is to ensure that students, who are the leaders of tomorrow, are ready adaptors of ICT, especially the internet which has limitless resources. It is also designed for the surrounding communities to have access to the internet, especially when the students are not available to ensure maximum use of the bandwidth subscription for the affected school. So far, more than 200 schools have benefited from DAP and we congratulate you for being one of the beneficiaries of this programme”.
“Let me mention that apart from DAP which is designed for secondary schools, we also have the digital access programme for tertiary institutions. In ADAPTI, we provide about 110 computers to the beneficiaries to equip the lecturers with new ICT skills and to impact same on their students. So far, more than 300 institutions of higher learning in Nigeria have benefitted from the programme since its introduction in 2008.
“This is in addition to the introduction of the Wireless Cloud, a complimentary package comprising of laptops with wireless internet facilities. Another 144 institutions, including some who already have ADAPTI, have benefitted from the Wireless Cloud”.
The key objectives of these programmes, Juwah added, are to prepare the nation for digital tomorrow and equip the youth with the necessary skills to tap into the potentials of the digital age.
In the case of DAP, it is aimed at building a foundation for our young generation and to also prepare a good background for the broadband revolution that is being currently pursued by the Commission.
“You will recall that the Commission is vigorously pursuing a programme to provide pervasive broadband availability and affordability across the country. We are hopeful that some of these programmes would create a fertile ground for usage and exploitation of broadband for the benefit of our economy.
“In all these programmes, we are hopeful about their sustainability. This will only be possible if the beneficiary institutions are mindful of the critical roles they are to play in preserving what have been given to them, and in outing it to optimal use to achieve the desired objectives”.
Gladdened by the feat, Dr. Babatunde Adejare former member representing Agege Federal Constituency at the 7th National Assembly, thanked the board and management of NCC’s magnanimity and choice of the area as location of the DAP facilities.
Adejare on behalf of the State Government pledged to work harmoniously with both the Local Government and the School Authority to make judicious use of the center.
According to him, NCC has shown commitment and as a forward-looking government that bridges digital divide among Nigerians
Speaking to Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, Mrs. Eunice Bosede Osadola, principal, Girls Senior High School, Agege, joined other management staff of the school in expressing gratitude to the Commission, adding that the girls will be lifted information literacy-wise.
According to her, those preparing for external examinations will find the facilities more enabling. “Yes, we are happy that NCC found the school worthy to benefit from the DAP. We are also grateful to all that worked with NCC to ensure the project see light of the day. On our part we will make sure they are put to the best use.
“Our students are already etching for the time they will be told to start learning. We have engaged competent and committed (computer appreciation) tutors who will guide them and ensure they do no start visiting immoral sites,” the principal, Girls Senior High School, Agege, said.