In a bid to bridge digital gap among children and youths, the Non-governmental Association for Literacy Support Services (NOGALSS) has pledged to equip out-of-school children with digital competencies.
The National President of NOGALSS, Noah Emmanuel, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday at a One-Day Stakeholders and Consultative Meeting on Global Campaign for Education (GCE)-NOGALSS-GIZ Project.
The project is titled:”Empowering Children and Youth with Digital Competencies through Inter-Generational Learning in a Fast Developing Digital World for Sustainable Livelihood in Communities.
Emmanuel said that the initiative when implemented would not only transform lives but also lay a strong foundation for sustainable development.
“A the heart of this project lies a simple but powerful idea: every child, regardless of their background or circumstance, deserves the opportunity to learn and thrive.
“The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by technology and innovation. Yet, millions of children in Nigeria remain excluded from digital revolution.”
According to Emmanuel, the project targets about 180 beneficiaries in each state from six-geopolitical zones of the country.
He listed the states to benefit as Taraba, Kano, Imo, Akwa-Ibom, Oyo and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He further said that the project aimed to create an ecosystem where children could continuously learn, grow and become self reliant.
He, therefore, called for community ownership of the project to ensure that local stakeholders delivered on its success.
Also, Mr Abdulmalik Bello, Assistant Director, Digital Infrastructure, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), pledged the support of the agency for the project in the provision of digital infrastructure.
In the same vein, Hope Ochei, Principal Education Officer, Federal Ministry of Education, commended the initiative of NOGALSS while reiterating the ministry’s commitment to provide support through its different digital platforms and resources.
The project which would run for one year would address the digital deficiency of drop out children, displaced children and unschooled children.
The project is also to benefit children and young women in Purdah, girls and young women with VVF as well as orphans and vulnerable children.