By Adedeji Fakorede
No fewer than 7,560 people have gained Information Communication and Technology (ICT) training from the Sokoto Education Development Trust Fund (SEDTF) in the last 17 years.
Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Board of Trustees Chairman, said this at the opening of a three-week Computer Training Programme for 88 civil servants drawn from the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Sokoto, State.
The Second Republic President, who was represented by former Minister of Commerce, Alhaji Idris Koko, said SEDTF considered it imperative to assist civil servants gain computer education.
“The SEDTF is assuring the state government of the continuous intervention along this line for the benefit of state civil servants,” Shagari said.
Sokoto State Head of Service, Alhaji Bature Shinkafi, described the training by the fund as a milestone geared towards manpower development.
He noted that the training would make the civil service more vibrant in tune with global best practices.
“It will enhance efficiency and ultimately encourage productivity. Discipline and work ethics will also be projected for good governance which the civil service is in dire need of. It will also bolster transparency, accountability, relations with the public, electronic-governance and electronic-administration, among others,” he said.
Shinkafi also praised the state governor, Aminu Tambuwal, for prioritising training of all cadres of civil servants, within and outside Nigeria.
Delivering a lecture, Prof Zayyanu Umar, Dean, Post Graduate School, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, noted that the knowledge of computer was key to the development and overall progress of the society.
Represented by Dr Sani Ibrahim of the Political Science Department of the institution, Umar said, “Even developed countries of the world have continued to make computer literacy a matter of immense national importance.”
Meanwhile, a board member of the fund, Senator Mukhtar Abdulkareem urged participants to regard themselves privileged.