Niger Delta
NCC Begins 5-Day Digital Technology Training For Igbinedion Varsity Staff
The Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) on Monday began a 5-day training on advanced digital appreciation programme for 100 staff members of the Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State.
DBI is funded by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Declaring the workshop open in Okada, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, said the training was strategic to the institution’s plan to consolidate on its Smart campus regime.
The regime, he said, was gaining recognition, particularly with the recent Best Information Technology (IT) Academy and the Most Supportive Vice-Chancellor awards of the Huawei Academy, which were won by the school.
“Digital Bridge Institute’s commitment to transforming the digital space in the country’s tertiary institutions of which IUO is a beneficiary, is praiseworthy indeed.
“It is emblematic of the future direction of the higher education landscape where Artificial Intelligence, robotics, virtual reality and other innovations are gaining pre-eminence”, the Vice-Chancellor said.
Ezemonye expressed the preparedness of the school to run joint educational programmes with the institute in the areas of co-design, co-development and co-delivery of specialised IT-related courses both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
He applauded the institute as well as the NCC, which funded the programme, for their generosity and unflinching support.
Prof. Mohamed Jiya, the President/Chief Executive Officer of the institute, said the adaptive training was introduced and funded by the NCC to bridge the digital gap between graduates of various tertiary institutions and requirements by the employing industry, particularly in the ICT space.
Jiya, represented by Mr Osaretin Enagbare, said: “Oftentimes, we realise that there is this digital gap between fresh graduates from institutions and what is required by the industry. So NCC saw the need to bridge this gap and as such, DBI was saddled with the responsibility.
“As a result of this, the institute came up with an adaptive programme where participants would be equipped with practical skills in ICT and emerging trends in the ICT space.
“Of course, you will agree with me that ICT right now is fast growing and developing. Therefore, there is this need to keep us on our toes. There is this need to be found uptospade by this emerging technologies in the ICT space.
“That is why DBI comes in by equipping both teaching and non-teaching staff of various institutions on this ICT trend. It is done in such a way that knowledge can be cascaded from academic staff to the students.”
According to him, the training is more like killing two birds with a stone; it is training the trainers. We train the staff and they in return train the students.
“At the end of the day, they come out as graduates well grounded in their various ICT space,” he explained.
The Tide source reports that modules for the training cover Digital Skills, Cybersecurity and Emerging Technology (DSCET) as well as statistical analysis using the SPSS and Power BI.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.