Group holds fifth ICT awards

Our reporter

THE Fifth Nigerian Child Information Communication Technology (ICT) Awards has held in Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos.

The event, which held at Excellence Hotel, attracted no fewer than 100 people, including 10 schools, with their owners, teachers and pupils, from Lagos and Ogun states.

The award organisers, Talent Hunt Expression’s Project Coordinator Kingsley Kalu, said over 2000 pupils drawn from several schools took part in the exercise.

He noted: ”ICT is the bedrock on which the economy is being driven.” He said the questions on which the pupils were tested were 80 per cent practicals and the balance theory, adding that the contest was built on the tripod of consistency, transparency and excellence.

He urged school owners to accept the results, saying: ”We don’t do selection, we do merit. Don’t hold grudges, if your school does not win.” He said for the first time, the organisers introduced the secondary school category.

He thanked the sponsors of the awards. They included Fidelity Bank, MI Phone, Dominion Pizza, Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship (FGBMF) and Adrion Homes. Specifically, he praised Faith Academy, Gowon Estate, and Access International, Adeoye International School, Sango for their support.

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On the turnout, Kalu said: ”I am overwhelmed by the turnout. We know we have just started. With your support, the sky is the limit.”

Five winners each emerged in the two categories. While Damilola Marvellous of Hampsons International School, Ota, Ogun State took first position in the primary category, carting a N100,000 and a laptop prize, Kayode Iretomiwa of Ambassadors School was number one in the secondary category. He grabbed N150,000 and a desktop. For the first time, the 150 top scorers were also rewarded.

A National Director of FGBMF in Ogba Ikponmwosa Obazee praised the event. ‘He said: ‘It’s exciting in the sense that the young ones were contesting. ICT is the way to go in the world. This event is about awareness and sensitisation. It tells us about the future of ICT.”

Jonathan Kalu, FGBMF chapter president, lauded the event. He said there was room for opening up the awards. Being an individual initiative, he urged the government and more corporate organisations to support the awards to boost the Nigerian child capacity in the sector.