By Ifeanyi Uwagwu/Jumai Nwachukwu
THE Commissioner for Science and Technology, Delta State, Hon. Dr Daniel Odinigwe, has described the newly inaugurated Information and Communication Technology/Computer-Based Test (ICT/CBT) Centre at Onicha-Olona, as a hub that will nurture talent, spark creativity, and unlock boundless potential for youths and educators in the state.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the centre, Odinigwe said the facility was more than a physical structure but a gateway to empowerment, innovation, and transformation. He noted that in an era where technology drives progress, digital skills had become essential, with examinations, job applications, and even business solutions now conducted online.
“This ICT/CBT Centre will be a hub for learning and innovation, whether it is coding groundbreaking applications, mastering data analytics, exploring artificial intelligence, or gaining basic computer literacy,” he said. “It is a platform to nurture talent, spark creativity, and unlock boundless potential.”
The Commissioner commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the visionary leadership that made the project possible, adding that the governor’s commitment to bridging the digital divide was laying the foundation for a brighter and more inclusive future. He also acknowledged the contributions of community members and stakeholders whose support, he said, was instrumental to the project’s completion.
Earlier, the Chairman of Aniocha North Local Government Area, Hon. Chinye Bazim, thanked the governor for the commissioning of what he described as a landmark project. He said the facility would benefit not just the local government but the entire state, particularly in advancing online learning, examinations, and digital opportunities. He urged residents to protect the infrastructure and ensure it serves generations to come.
In his remarks, the President-General of the Olona Development Union (ODU), Sir Pat Ejido, hailed the ICT/CBT Centre as a milestone that signals a rebirth of innovation and prosperity for the community. He expressed gratitude to the Delta State Government for equipping the centre with 300 workstations, 300 computers, and a solar power installation, which he said would make Olona a potential ICT hub in the state.
Ejido further appreciated the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) for initiating the project and praised Odinigwe for his passion and dedication to seeing it completed. He expressed readiness to partner with the state government to develop a sustainable management model to ensure the centre achieves its purpose of equipping youths with digital skills and expanding employment opportunities.
