Prominent politician and a two-time member of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Prince Ikedichi Ezekwesiri has handed over an ultra-modern ICT Centre, the School Knowledge Centre (SKC) he attracted to the Immaculate Comprehensive College, Lokpaukwu in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.
The Centre was built and donated to the school at the instance of Hon Ikedichi Ezekwesiri by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), an arm of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and was executed by Zinox Technologies Limited.
At the handing over ceremony on Wednesday, Prince Ezekwesiri, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said the completion and commissioning of the centre were in fulfilment of his promise to the school and Lokpaukwu community while he was a serving member of the Abia State House of Assembly.
Ezekwesiri noted that the centre was coming at a time the world is facing disruptions in traditional learning occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, and a paradigm shift to digital learning powered by digital tools and infrastructure.
“I am happy that I was able to ensure the completion of this centre and fulfil the promise I made to the people of Lokpaukwu community when I paid a visit here some time ago. I am happier that the centre is coming at a time conscious efforts are being made to promote digital learning in our schools as a result of the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic in traditional educational learning system in our country.
“With this centre, our children will have access to gaining basic knowledge and skills to operate computers in order to perform their desired jobs in the future. We are all aware that computers play a vital role in every field of human endeavour, aiding industrial processes, raising software developers and potential innovators. Computers play important role in modern education,” he said.
Ezekwesiri, also known as Omekaodinma, who represented Umunneochi State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly noted that with the paradigm shift now to digital learning, the Computer Training Centre came timely to contribute to efforts at laying the foundation for employable skills for students at the secondary school level.
“With this centre, the academic performance of students of this school will improve significantly. With the skills garnered at this centre, the students will definitely adapt to a modern approach to learning. They will gain knowledge as well as learn new skills so that they can take up challenges in the future.
“Today, virtually all our daily life activities are based on online services and products which can only be possible via computers and mobile devices. Every parent wants the best for their children. I personally believe that the best we can do for our children is to help them become creators and active problem-solvers, using their knowledge of the computer.
“My conviction has even grown stronger as we are being challenged to think and solve so many problems as a result of the negative effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. Computers, programming and robotics provide ideal platforms to enable children to learn through experimentation and play,” Ezekwesiri said.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the contractors, Zinox Technologies Limited for delivering the centre in record time and assured that it will be maximally utilised.
The principal of the College thanked Hon Ezekwesiri and the NCC for finding his school good enough to host the ICT Centre.