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The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday, commissioned an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre, sited at the premises of the College of Education, Ilorin, Kwara State and other signature projects of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration.
Speaking during the commissioning of the ICT centre, Tinubu said the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) under the Social Investment Programme, collaborated with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), to bridge the nation’s digital gap.
“On March 12, 2024, the first-ever ICT community centre constructed by NITDA, was commissioned in Bauchi State.
“So far, NITDA has constructed four community ICT centres in total.
“This centre we are commissioning today is the second, while Benue and Oyo centres are ready to be commissioned soon.
“Other digital economy centres have also been fully equipped with computers and other ICT materials in five states namely: Jigawa, Ebonyi, Cross River, Oyo, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory.
“Ten additional digital Economy Centres in Abia, Edo, Delta, Ondo, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Yobe, and Zamfara are also being fully equipped with ICT materials and will be ready for commissioning soon.
“The lCT centre is in line with the priority area of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, to accelerate economic diversification through industrialization and digitization.”
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre.
She urged members of the communities in Kwara to take full ownership of the centre.
“The success of this centre depends on your active participation and utilization of the resources available.
“I officially commission and hand over this centre, which will be named Amina Ndalolo Community ICT Centre.” She said
She also announced an empowerment grant to petty traders in the state.
“In the spirit of today’s event, the RHI, under the Economic Empowerment scope, will be presenting a grant of Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000) to the first lady of Kwara and RHI state coordinator.
“The grant is to support another set of 1,000 women petty traders with the sum of N50,000 each to recapitalize their existing businesses.
ultra modern Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Dr. Amuda Aluko Ward,
“We had earlier empowered 1,000 women petty traders in August last year and elderly citizens in December.
“Under the RHI Social Investment Programme, 250 elderly citizens were given a grant of N200,000 each on December 17, 2024, to celebrate the yuletide season,” she added.
She also said that the RHI, under its Education Programme, is collaborating with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to build an Alternative High School for Girls in Kwara State.
“This is to provide another opportunity to access education for girls and women who dropped out of school due to early pregnancies, child marriages, and other socio-economic reasons.
“Also, Kwara State has been nominated to benefit from the construction of a model Early Childhood Care Development Education (ECCDE) Centre, which will be built in Ilorin. As part of the fruits of our collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Kwara State University is to benefit from the establishment of an ICT Experience Centre.
“Additionally, under our RHI Agriculture Programme, women and young farmers will benefit from the N68.9 million Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Support grant. This grant has been made available to Kwara State through the First Lady and RHI State Coordinator, who will be responsible for the implementation of the Women Agricultural Support Programme (WASP), Youth Agricultural Support Programme, Every Home a Garden, and Young Farmers Club of the Renewed Hope Initiative,” she explained.
Also speaking, the wife of the state governor, Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq, said that the ICT initiative would not only equip the women and youths with in-demand digital skills but also position them for the opportunities that abound in the Nigerian and global digital space.
He said, “Today’s commissioning speaks to the many engagements and partnerships of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria towards ensuring that Nigerians are adequately supported in the pursuit of their goals and improving the livelihoods of the most indigent to complement the efforts of Mr President, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, and the Federal Government in this regard.”
“While this milestone will continue to elevate the status of women, youths, and other users of the facility, it is also creating pathways to make Nigeria a digitally empowered nation and fostering a technology-enabled, equitable future for all Nigerians.”
Mrs Abdulrazaq enjoined the host school (College of Education, Ilorin) and users alike to ensure the protection and security of the edifice and to take full advantage of the services the facility provides to develop themselves and promote positive causes.
The First Lady who was in the state for an official visit for 3 days also commissioned ultra modern Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Dr. Amuda Aluko Ward, two major signature projects of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, located in the premises of Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH), Taiwo Road, Ilorin.
She will also spend the next two days (Wednesday and Thursday) carrying out the commissioning of other projects such as Emir Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari Flyover, (Unity Road) and Gen. Tunde Idiagbon Flyover (Tanke) and embark on a tour of signature projects of the Governor such as the Innovation Hub; Visual Arts Centre; and the Garment Factory.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, will conduct the official groundbreaking ceremony for the Oluremi Tinubu Hospital, a multi-storey building being constructed on the site of the old civil service clinic.
As part of her programmes in Kwara, the First Lady will also distribute food items to the vulnerable under her Renew Hope Initiative (RHI).
Governor AbdulRazaq while giving remarks, appreciated President Tinubu and the First Lady for what he calls an impactful initiative.
He said the ICT project is not just an investment in infrastructure but a powerful statement about the essential role of technology in our survival and progress in the digital era.
“Technology is here to stay, and the only path forward is to aggressively invest in the skills and infrastructure that will secure a prosperous future for our people,” the Governor said.
“As we commission this ICT Community Centre today, I extend our heartfelt appreciation to Her Excellency and the Renewed Hope Initiative for this remarkable investment in our community and youth.”
He also commended the unwavering support of the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, and the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi towards realizing the set objectives.
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