2000 OGUN TEACHERS TRAINED ON PYTHON PROGRAMMINGS

No fewer than 2000 Ogun State Public School Teachers have benefitted from a day training on Python Programming and Artificial Intelligence across the three Senatorial Districts of the State.

The programming is an aspect of Information Communication Technology (ICT), that is demonstrated by the machines in contrast to the those by humans.

The event, which was co-organised by the Bureau of Information Technology, in  collaboration with Data Science Nigeria (DSN), Lead Resources, Computer Teachers Association of Nigeria (CTAN) and Nigeria Computer Society (NCS),at Hubert Ogunde Hall, Kuto, Abeokuta, would broaden knowledge of participants on Information Communication Technology (ICT).

While addressing OGIS correspondent at the venue, the Director of Information Technology in the Bureau, Mrs. Olatundun Adekunte stated that the training was part of the conscious efforts of State government at transforming the secondary school teaching into a Digitally-Smart workforce.

Adekunte said, "Since it is generally accepted that no educational system can rise above the standard of its teachers, the State is totally committed to addressing the digital inadequacies of public school teachers, who are critical to the realisation of the present administration's ‘Building Our Future Together’ agenda.

She noted that it was imperative to train and retrain the teachers, especially in the area of Information Technology, adding that the present administration is  passionate in imbibing ICT on students, in order to prepare them for global competition.

"Indeed, we are in 21 century, where people are dealing with ICT, there will be no need for our teeming youths to be searching for jobs anymore, once they have trained digitally. That is why we need to prepare them for the future, because of its demand in the global economy", Adekunte said

One of the instructors and the Business Manager, DSN, Mr. Amzat Olawasheun said it was a foundation for the primary and secondary school teachers in the State, to make them compete favourably in the area of Python programme and Artificial Intelligence.

Oluwasheun pointed out that teachers need to be adequately equipped and educated on Information Technology, to prepare the upcoming generations for the future challenges, noting that those programmings would be introduced into the primary and secondary school curriculum.

"This is basic foundation for our teachers in the State to develop their intelligence and broaden their knowledge in the area of programmings,  to inculcate what they are taught here to their pupils and the world as well", she said.

In his contribution, the Third Executive President, Computer Teachers Association of Nigeria (CTAN), Mr. Emosu Temitopeoluwa, stated that it is important to "catch them young" and implant such critical programmes into their minds, so as to become employers of labour in the nearest future.

"Indeed, Python Programmings is very essential, as at now, we cannot do anything  special on IT without having  knowledge of it. It is a new innovation we all need to vast at, so, our students need to be taught now, as they are still young to  assimilate ", Temitopeoluwa said

Some of the participants, Mr. Elemide Florence of Idikoro Gateway Senior Secondary school, Idiroko, Ipokia  Local Government and Mrs. Sofowote Rasheedat of Wesley Primary School, Iperu, Remo, opined that the programme was for beginners/starters, to develop their skills in the area of programmings on ICT, commending the State government for facilitating  such  training workshop for both primary and secondary school teachers.

NUJ INFORMATION CHAPEL ORGANISES A-DAY TRAINING FOR MEMBERS ON THURSDAY

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Information Chapel is organising a-day training for its members on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 10 am prompt at the Tech-Hub, Kobape, Abeokuta.

The training would focus on ‘Punctuation for Effective Communication and Camera Handling Techniques for Better Shots’.

In a release signed by the Chairman of the Chapel’s Training Committee, Mrs. Adeyinka Musa-Richard, the training is part of the in-house capacity building mechanism to enhance productivity of Information Officers and Camera men posted to various Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Mrs. Musa-Richard, said the State Head of Service, Alhaja Selimot Ottun would declare the training open, while Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Odusile would give a keynote address.

The Committee Chairman noted that a session on ‘Effective Communication’ would be facilitated by a Professor of English Language, Department of Communication and General Studies, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Helen Bodunde, while professional camera men from reputable media organisations would take participants on ‘Camera Handling Techniques’.

Ogun Information Team meet, strategizes on effective and efficient information dissemination

The Information team of the present government in Ogun State have met to strategize on ways to improve information dissemination and also get adequate feedbacks from the people of the state.

Speaking at the meeting, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information, Mrs. Modele Sarafa -Yusuf said the essence of the meeting was to get all hands to be on deck so that "as Information Managers, we don't wink in the dark".

She stressed the importance of Information Officers in governance.  "Their role is to provide information services internally- among all ministries, departments and agencies- and externally-  to and from the public"

Mrs. Sarafa - Yusuf added that the government of Prince Dapo Abiodun needs to get effective feedback and a participatory governance from the governed thus the need for relevant skills for information officers and equipment.

Earlier in their submissions, the Directors of Information and General Managers of the state owned media stations took turns to suggest ways to improve information dissemination in the state to include training and retraining of information officers, acquisition of state of the art equipment for optimal and professional delivery among others.

Highlighting some of the functions of information officers, the Director of Information, Production Services, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya said, "they are the image maker of government who are to propagate the activities, bridge the gap between the government and the governed as well as get feedbacks for the government".

The meeting had in attendance the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Kunle Somorin, Consultant to the Governor on Information, Mrs. Ronke Ogundimu, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on new media, Mr. Emmanuel Ojo, Directors of Information, Ministry of Information and Strategy, General Manager of the Ogun State Television (OGTV), his counterpart from the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC) and other management staff.

$350m World Bank loan’ll boost Ogun’s 50-yr master plan – Amosun

 

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, on Wednesday, disclosed that the next administration in the state will access the $350 million World Bank loan for the development of the state, adding the loan will go a long to impact positively on the 50 year master plan developed by his administration for the state.

The governor gave this disclosure during his ward-to-ward tour of Obafemi-Owode local government as part of his Ogun Central senatorial campaign.

He explained that the loan is like a grant from the World Bank because of its 1% interest rate and five year moratorium, noting  his administration had finished the paper work and met all requirements for the release of the fund.

Amosun added that beyond the infrastructural development, his government has developed a 50 year sustainable development plan for the state, which according to him,  covered education, infrastructure and other sectors.

He further disclosed that the master plan catered for the construction of a major ring road that will cut across Kobape, Idi-Aba, Odeda, amongst others, all in Ogun Central, maintaining “there can’t be any development without infrastructure”.

“Before we came in, there was Ogun state master plan but that one which covered about 30 years ended and what we did was to invite some development partners including World Bank, GIZ and we did what we called sustainable development plan. First for 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, 40 years and stopped at 50 years.

“We have envisioned where we want Ogun State to be in the immediate, short term, medium term and long term, and that is why the World Bank is collaborating with us. It was one of the things World Bank requested we have and that is what we did.

“That is why they approved the grant they want to give to us, I won’t call it loan because if you imagine 1% for 25 years with five years moratorium, that can’t be loan, that will only qualify for a grant.

“And to the glory of God, they are giving us $350 million, I have done the work and the next government will begin to reap. In education, we know where we want to be, in health and other facets including infrastructure and that is why we are running around to ensure our airport is in place.

“If we are the industrial hub of Nigeria, that comes with a lot of challenges. Our manufacturers, they want to stay in Abeokuta, Sagamu, Ota, etc, they don’t want to be running to Lagos to do their businesses. We know what to do, but there can’t be development without infrastructure,” The governor stated.

While calling on Ogun indigenes to embrace continuity of his administration in the forthcoming elections, Amosun said, “it is clear that no governor can finish everything and that is why we should not allow anybody to come and dictate for us in Ogun”.

He further enjoined the people to take their destinies in their hands and vote for the candidate that understands the blue print and will continue from where he will stop.