The international youth day saw majority of youth and as National Youth Service Corp members in attendance with several entertaining display by the cultural groups,  dance Drama , drama and hosts of other activities to the admiration of the youths in attendance.

This year’s International Youth Day celebration offers the world an opportunity to again implement timely policies that will harness the innovative talents of the youth development.

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare in his speech said “The theme for this year’s celebration: Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health” seeks to highlight the urgency of transforming food systems, particularly in the wake of a global pandemic. The theme also identifies youth engagement as a key factor to the transformation of food systems. This is in realization of the fact that success of such a global effort may not be achieved without the meaningful involvement and participation of young people.”

“Without any iota of doubt, we now know that Youth innovation Is a Catalyst needed to drive Development  in all it’s ramifications. With the increasing uptake  of technology as an enabler by a huge number of the younger generation, the innovative minds and skills of the youth will serve as the fuel for development.”

“Our world is increasingly technology driven by a youthful generation of brilliant and innovative minds who are daring and ready to discover new frontiers through innovation”

“In line with the theme for this year’s celebration, therefore we at the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports are of belief that when the youth are properly educated, engaged, with their innovation and entrepreneurial solutions, they will continue to play a very significant role in the actualization of the 2030 Agenda which include poverty reduction; social inclusion; health care; biodiversity conservation; and climate change mitigation. The Ministry, therefore uses the opportunity of this celebration to echo the voices of the youth and also assure them that Government is committed to working towards more equitable food systems with their full involvement and participation.”

Commending the President’s effort on youth development, he said: “The President Muhammadu Buhari led administration, through the Ministry, line MDAs and other partners will step up awareness creation to enable our youth make informed decisions on food choices in line with the increasing global education on the healthiest and most sustainable options for both individuals and the environment. Government will create the enabling environment and inclusive support mechanisms to ensure that the youth continue to amplify efforts collectively and individually to restore the planet and protect life, while integrating biodiversity in the transformation of food systems in line with the objectives of this year’s celebration.”

Presently ongoing is the training of close to 5,000 Nigerian youth across the six geopolitical zones of the week in critical areas of green stimulus, digital skills, AI and Robotics and clean and renewable energy.

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare concluded saying “
I sincerely thank all our partners and line MDAs for honouring us with your esteemed presence on this special Day. Once again, I wish all Nigerian youth happy International Youth Day celebration.”

Signed

*Media office of the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development*

The week long capacity training which commenced on Monday would see 91 members of staff, including Academic (36) and Non-academic (55), gain knowledge on various aspects of ICT.

The Acting Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Dr Salisu Ogbo Usman who declared the training open at the institution’s CBT Centre on Monday 14th December, 2020, noted that a standard institution like Kogi State Polytechnic must be driven by ICT in all phases.

Dr Usman said that the school had upgraded her ICT consciousness by having a Directorate of Information Technology and Resource Centre which has recorded much success within the short time of existence.

He noted that the institution recently conducted a computer based test, CBT which was largely supported by school personnel, reinstalled internet services on campus which hasn’t been the case since 2015, and that all General Studies examinations would be computer-based.

“A Tertiary Institution is supposed to be driven by ICT in all standards and that is why we talk about e-payment, e-learning and e-security, amongst others.

We are already fixing CCTV in all nooks and crannies of the institution. The idea is that, God helping us, we don’t pray for any bad thing to happen, but if anything negative happens, we know where to go for us to identify some issues”

On the issue of Staff welfare, Dr Usman disclosed that payment of promotion arrears for staff would take effect from January 2021 if all arrangements worked as planned.

He added that the capacity building training on ICT for the Academic and Non-academic staff of the institution was also part of improving their welfare as it would make them to be relevant and digitally inclined to impact posively on the society.

Dr Usman commended the Director of Information Technology Resource Centre, Dr Ayodele Oluwakemi for her effort in ensuring that the training became a reality. He further charged the 91 participants to take advantage of the training and acquire the requisite digital knowledge.

“I want to also charge you the participants not to see this one week training as only about the certificate, it is about knowledge and capacity building”, he said.

The Director, ITRC said courses to be taken during the one week training includes Intermediate Module, ICT in Education, Digital Marketing, Preparation Output, Presentation Applications, amongst others.

The TETFUND team was led by Mr. Abraham Obatokun as the Lead Consultant, Mr. Oyeleye Olakunle as the Training Administrator , Mr. Anthony Olosami, Mr. Adeyanmi Oyenuga and Mr. Adeleye Adeoye as facilitators.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Deputy Rector, Dr. Lamidi Kehinde, the Acting Registrar, Mr Zubair Raji, the Acting Bursar, Mr. Adebola Osho, the Acting Librarian, Mrs Ozohu Audu and the Acting Director of Works, Engineer Sunday Adanu.

Compiled By:
Uredo Omale(Mrs.)
Head, Public Relations and Protocol Unit.
Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.