OTUOKE—Determined to confront the high rate of joblessness in the Niger Delta region, the Federal Government has concluded arrangements to train over 700 youths in various fields of endeavour at the skill acquisition centre in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Promotion of local content in software development has received a major boost as the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) has endorsed the BrainFriend e-learning and examination preparatory software from CINFORES as a tool for the enhancement of teaching and learning methods in Nigerian schools.

The Nigeria Content Advocacy Initiative NICADI, a multi-sector vehicle for the domestication of Nigeria information technology (IT) products and services has called on the Federal Government to quickly cancel the award of the printing of national identity cards to MasterCard International, an American company as it negates the spirit of local content development and national security.

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) Abuja have concluded a 5-week training programme on Advanced Materials Science, Nano-technology, computer aided designs Mechatronics, advance manufacturing and innovation techniques.

RECENTLY, on April 26, the Minister of Communications and Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson celebrated the World ICT Girl Day in Abuja, and continued a campaign against women’s phobia and shyness in taking careers in science, technology and engineering.

No fewer than twelve individual investors under the umbrella of the Lagos Angels Network , (LAN) are to provide seed funds for start-up entrepreneurs in the technology industry.

As part of its commitment to sanitize the industry against what it described as quacks, the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, CPN, has again warned Information Technology training institutions operating illegally across the nation especially in Lagos to desist from the act or face the log arm of the law.

First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan weekend expressed willingness to partner with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats (IMPACT) to promote online safety of children and youths around the world.

Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Cross River State, Patrick Ugbe has commended telecommunications giant, MTN, on its MTN Link Forum initiative, which he describes as a transformation catalyst for youths in Cross River State.

Airtel Nigeria, has introduced a dual-purpose single recharge card for both voice and data services on its network making it possible for subscribers to recharge for both services with only one recharge card.