Don, others call for use of technology to boost economy

Vice Chancellor, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Prof Ozo-Mekuri Ndimele, has stressed the need to bridge the gap between secondary and higher education through skill development programmes.

The don, who spoke at the 6th yearly technology management forum for directors of science and technology in Nigeria, organised by National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) in Port Harcourt, noted that this would strengthen the informal sector and invariably aid economic development.

He also stressed the need to ensure proper training and certification for students who intend to excel in information technology, data science, data science applications, data engineering, network and Internet applications, cyber security and other security framework for technology infrastructure.

“These will help our graduates develop skills that will make them richly independent while providing quality services for people in both formal and informal sectors.”

Director-General, NACETEM, Prof Okechukwu Ukwuoma, who spoke on the theme, “Strengthening and sustaining the informal sector in the era of COVID-19: What role for government?” said the world is changing with new challenges and the nation cannot afford to sit on the fence.

“Cutting edge knowledge in science, technology and innovation needs to be constantly deployed, with relevant stakeholders from across the formal and informal sectors coming together to mitigate the ever increasing and constantly occurring challenges in the world. This is one of such fora to help address myriads of problems militating against remarkable growth in this age and time.”

Economist and Assistant Director, Research at NACETEM, Abiodun Egbetokun, said despite opportunities that abound in poor countries, development and application of knowledge is the most important defining factor of backwardness.

Egbetokun urged government to invest in people, build strong institutions and take focused actions aimed at developing the country.

“Despite the abundance of information in the globalised world economy, a competitive gap exists between nations. The most significant cause of this competitive gap is knowledge,” Egbetokun stated.