By Praise Chinecherem
Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh has affirmed Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s unwavering commitment to making technology accessible to every child in the state, regardless of their economic background or ethnicity.
The Commissioner stated this while delivering a paper titled “Creating the World of African Nations through Technology” at the Anambra Innovation Week 2024 symposium held at the International Convention Center (ICC), Awka.
She said the Governor Soludo recognized transformative power of technology in driving national development, stressing his administration’s dedication to equipping young people with necessary tools and knowledge to thrive in the digital age.
Chuma-Udeh emphasized the governor’s vision to build a “digital tribe” of future technocrats, positioning Anambra as a hub for technological innovation both within Nigeria and across Africa.
“Technology is an inseparable part of our lives,” the Commissioner stated, citing examples like mobile phones, cars, and office projectors as evidence of its integration into daily life.
“Technology shapes every facet of modern existence and must be embraced for progress,” she stressed.
Identifying Africa, including 46 of its countries as among the least developed regions technologically, Chuma-Udeh described poverty as the primary barrier to technological advancement, as many Africans lack access to basic infrastructure and resources.
“Mass migration of Africa’s brightest minds to more developed countries further hinders progress on the continent.
“The Soludo administration is taking deliberate steps to address these challenges through initiatives like capacity-building programs for youth, the Anambra Innovation Week 2024 Challenge, free education policies, and the transformation of schools into smart learning centers.
“These efforts aim to empower young people and establish Anambra as a leading technology hub for Nigeria and Africa.
While reaffirming Soludo belief that leveraging technology was key to positioning Africa on the global stage, the Commissioner urged every child to seize the opportunities provided by the current administration to become tech-savvy, emphasizing that digital literacy is vital for personal and societal growth.
“The future of Anambra and Africa at large depends on our ability to embrace technology,” she concluded.
