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NITDA Trains 335 Lagos Kids in Emerging Technologies
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has empowered 335 kids in Lagos with skill in emerging technologies such as Robotics, Artificial intelligence, Coding, virtual Reality among other at the STEM Bootcamp for Kids (SB4KIDS).
Mallam Kashifu Inuwa, the Director General, NITDA in his goodwill message said that SB4KIDS is aimed at bridging the gap that currently exists in the educational sector.
He said that this Stem Bootcamp for Kids triggers NITDA’s interest and resonates deeply with the ongoing efforts toward implementing the National Digital economy policy for digital Nigeria.
Inuwa who was represented by Mrs Jumoke Alaka, Manager, South West Zonal office, NITDA, said that NITDA mandate is to create a framework for the planning, research, development, and standardization application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of Information Technology practices in Nigeria.
According to him, “NITDA remains committed to supporting campaigns to diversify the country’s economy from a resource-based to a knowledge-based one through Information Technology (IT).
“We are indeed proud to be part of this event. It is my pleasure to introduce to you National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), the arm of NITDA meant to drive R&D and innovation in the areas of emerging technologies.
“NCAIR is one of NITDA’s special purpose vehicles created to promote research and development on emerging technologies and their practical application in areas of Nigeria’s national interest,’’ he said.
He added that kids across spectrums of the society were trained on Coding, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Drone.As well as Digital Communications, Embedded Systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), Virtual Reality, and 3D requisite skill-set for the 4th Industrial Revolution.
The DG said that as an NCAIR’s catch-them-young initiative, the SB4KIDS is a Bootcamp to inspire young Nigerians in STEM.
He said that through the SB4Kids, NCAIR engages youngsters between the age of 8 and 16 years in an immersive and well-articulated Bootcamp.
According to him, “the bootcamp is meant to coach and inspire youngsters to imbibe STEM passion and create an early interest in digital and emerging technologies, that would hopefully shape the children future careers in these fields”.
He said that, NITDA SB4Kids is a yearly initiative conducted during the summer school holidays. And has trained over 200 participants which will broaden the minds of children in critical thinking and high sense of curiosity in science and digital technology.
He said that the early involvement of in technology and innovation would accelerate the development of the IT sector and create future leaders who will transform the Nigerian technology space and boost Nigerian Digital Economy.
Mr Mayowa Ajiboye, Partner, TEF Community Innovation Hub appreciated NITDA for bringing the training to Alimosho Local Government Area , a suburb of Lagos state where there are kids underserved in technology.
“NITDA through its subsidiary NCAIR thought it wise that during summer holidays children should kept busy by teaching them current technologies that are relevant in the 4th industrial revolution and the idea is to bring children together to teach them Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
“Locating this programme in Alimosho was significant in reaching children of less privilege in the society.
“The number that was totally trained were 335 children which was more than the number that was planned for. When we saw the number we decided not to drive them but to manage to accommodate every kid that shown interest.
“Because of the huge impact we saw that we extended the programme by one week to complement effort of the government. In spite of the fact that schools in Lagos State have resumed kids still continued to attend the training which shows that the programme has made its objective,” Ajibola said.
A total of 6 Laptops were given out. 3 laptops for the first 3 junior category and 3 for the first 3 senior category. All of them were also giving Arduino tool kits.