Airtel Nigeria says it has commenced plans to rehabilitate an ICT (Information Communications Technology) centre in Imodi-Ijebu, Ogun State, in line with its commitment to empower Nigerian youths.
In the fifth episode of the on-going Airtel Touching Lives (ATL) Season 4, representatives of the telco met with community leaders of Imodi-Ijebu to discuss how the company will support, empower and up-skill youths in the area, leveraging on ICT.
Executive Chairman of Ifesowapo Imodi LCDA, Honourable Obafemi Onakoya, thanked Airtel for its commitment to touching lives and helping youths in the community, noting that he is positive that the new ICT centre will positively impact the youth and also accelerate learning and economic growth.
“In Ifesowapo Community, we have over 25,000 people with 70 per cent as youths and students. We believe that the impact of an ICT centre will be huge on the youths and the people of the community in general. It will improve their social and economic activities, influence research and enhance knowledge”, he said.
Some of the students of the community also believe the ICT Centre provided by Airtel will help reduce poverty, enhance knowledge and empower the younger generation.
“As a youth in the Imodi-Ijebu community, we are faced with different challenges because we do not have access to the internet. Most times, we have to travel out of the community to access the Internet and to complete assignments given to us at school. With the new ICT centre, things will definitely get better,” Oluwatoyin James Mary, a community youth said.
Sodiq Oluwasegun, a student in the community noted that “If we are not opportune to get an ICT centre in our community, this town and the neighboring village will be lagging behind. Other cities that have an ICT Centre are already congested and having one to ourselves will make us truly happy and fulfilled. I am really excited that Airtel has come to our aid.”
Airtel’s intervention will include refurbishing the existing ICT structure in the community, provision of computers, scanners, copiers and a generator.
