From Bisi Oladele, Southwest Bureau Chief

The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission has received samples of electronic learning device for pupils in Southwest states of Oyo, Ondo and Osun.

The devices were donated by the Ibironke Adeagbo Foundation for onward showcasing to state governments and other stakeholders in education in the region.

Presenting 55 devices to the commission’s director-general, Mr. Seye Oyeleye, at the Cocoa House office on Tuesday, a member of Board of Trustee of the foundation, Mr. Diran Famakinwa, explained that it chose to partner with the DAWN to bring the learning device to the doorsteps of pupils in Southwest states.

The project had succeeded in Lagos, where the state government purchases 20,000 of the mobile device for selected students.

Famakinwa said after the success of the Lagos State experience, it found a willing partner in the DAWN Commission, which was also working on how to achieve digital learning in schools across the region as a solution to the lockdown imposed by COVID-19.

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He added that the production of the device was in fulfilment of one of the foundation’s objective, which is to enhance learning as a solution to the multiple challenges confronting Nigeria.

He said the foundation believes that good education is a key solution to the myriads of problems in the country.

The director-general said the commission would take the device to governors and other relevant education stakeholders in the region and let them see the importance of the device.

He said: “We know that the future of education will be digital but that future suddenly arrived with the outbreak of COVID-19. We have to be creative in finding ways that our disadvantaged children will learn. Digital learning is not new in Southwest. We have had Opon Imo in Osun State.”

He said digital learning would continue after the lockdown because it is the future, adding that the commission was already working with other stakeholders, including data service and content providers, to ensure sustenance of the project.

Oyeleye promised to take round the device to the three listed states to ensure that no child is left behind in digital learning.