Focus More On The Merit Of ICT, Oyo Information Commissioner Charges Youth
Youths have been charged to take advantage of the Information Communication Technology ( ICT) and focus more on its merits than the negative part of digital space .
The Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Civil Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade said this at the third edition of the Hope For Second Chance Foundation (HOSEC) , Secondary School Oratory Contest , held in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.
Emphasizing the importance of ICT to societal development, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said deliberate moves are on to combat the menace of cybercrime in Oyo State through collaborative efforts by the State’s anti-graft agency, the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA), the Ministry of Education, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Oyo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), among others to preach against crimes associated with the internet and digital space.
The commissioner disclosed further that recently, Gov. Makinde has approved a substantial amount of money to implement a Youth Empowerment Programme on ICT training, including digital marketing, data analysis and coding, entrepreneurship, leadership, mentorship among others.
He described Youths empowerment in Oyo State as incomparable with any other State in the federation.
Prince Oyelade noted that the State government, in its commitment to improve the welfare of youths, two years ago increased the allowances of Youth Corpers from five thousand naira to fifteen thousand naira.
He said according to the NYSC Coordinator in Oyo State, Mr Abel Odoba, this has made Oyo State the highest paying state in the federation even as some States find it difficult to pay the mandatory ₦5,000.
The commissioner for information hinted that this generous wage by Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration has made Oyo State the Mecca for Youth Corpers.
In her remarks, the Executive Director, Hope For Second Chance Foundation, HOSEC, organisers of the event, Mrs. Ibukunoluwa Oteṣile, said mastery of effective communication skills should be the life goal of every child.
She called on parents, teachers and relevant stakeholders to rise to the task of making this the reality of every child.
The oratory contest among 47 government secondary schools in Ibadan gave the students the opportunity to discuss the merits and demerits of ICT advancements in a bid to enhancing safe digital spaces and child protection.
The keenly contested competition was won by Government College, Ibadan.