Wife of the Oyo state governor, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde has said the acquisition of both digital literacy and Information Technology skills had become more imperative, more than ever, for individuals to remain relevant and enhance their future.
She tasked students and teachers of secondary schools across the state on the need to be digitally literate to be relevant now and in the future.
Makinde gave the charge while speaking at an event to commemorate the 2021 International Day of the Girl Child, themed, “Digital Generation, Our Generation.”
The event held at the House of Chiefs, House of Assembly Complex, Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Addressing the audience, Makinde noted that the emphasis overtime has been on the students, but that it is crucial for teachers to also equip themselves technologically so as to be on the same page with their students who she described as “tech-savvy.”
She, especially, enjoined female students to take seriously Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and correct the insinuations that STEM courses are more of the jurisdiction of male students.
Stressing that everything today is product of technology, she urged the female students to take keener interest in Information Technology (IT) while also praying that more females get involved in the coding and development of computer programs.
Rather than negativities, Makinde urged students to rather explore the Internet to choose their career paths, network mentors, acquire and share ideas that will positively impact the world.
She stressed that students should reap the benefits of ever changing technological innovations and not expose themselves to cyber bullying.
Other speakers at the event including a Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, Mrs Kafilat Sokunbi and another expert, Mrs Aderonke Adedayo emphasized the need to optimize technology as a tool for social change and development.
In his remarks, state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Abiodun Abdu-Raheem emphasized that technological knowledge, especially by girls, is crucial to development of Nigeria and Africa, at large.