Lagos — Government and groups create a synergy aimed at accelerating computer education and training. At the just concluded Nigerian software exhibition tagged NISE 2000, the exploit of Dr. Emeagwali, U.S-based Nigerian software expert was cited as a testimony to the fact that many Nigerians are contributing immensely to the growth of information technology in the developed world.

The president of the Computer Association of Nigeria, COAN, Alhaji Ladi Oguneye, however, believes there are many more Emeagwalis in the country just waiting to be discovered if given the opportunity to develop as their colleagues in the other parts of the world.

This opportunity is realisable, according to Michael Onuoha, co-ordinator of "Skill 2010", a programme by the Agenda Computer Literacy at the Grassroots (ACOLAG) which aims at providing free computer education to post-primary public schools nationwide.

Onuoha, president of ACOLAG and national co-ordinator of "Skill 2010" while addressing the press recently in Lagos disclosed that having considered the constraints of the national economy and the inability of government to fully equip schools with up-to-date computer facilities, his organisation intends to fill the vacuum thus created by offering free computer training for the Nigerian youth for the next 10 years.

The programme, it is hoped, will help to correct the disturbing situation in the public schools in Lagos State as revealed by a recent survey. The study showed that of the 668, 830 students in the 389 post-primary public schools in the state only 3,746 or 0.56% have vague knowledge of computer, the internet and the basic inherent benefits of their application in regular day-to-day business.

The project as conceived will not only stimulate computer awareness in students especially in their formative years but also in providing practical education aid which will prepare them for the 'O' Level compulsory computing certificate examination to be introduced by the Federal Government in collaboration with the Computer Association of Nigeria. "Skill 2010" may just be the foundation of Nigeria's own Silicon Valley.

Publication date: April 24, 2000