Commissioner tasks Akwa Ibom youths on tech innovation
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Ekerette Ekanem, has challenged youths in the state particularly the females to be technologically and innovative driven.
He urged them to come together and work towards creating an application that would proffer solutions to impending or existing problems in the state ranging from environment, health, agriculture, social or education sectors.
The commissioner made the call during the maiden edition of the ARISE Youth Skills Week held at the Ibom E-Library, Uyo, in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the United Nations World Youth Skills Day.
Ekanem who expressed the state government’s commitment to youth development, said youths should be exposed to digital tools for innovation and solutions to problems in the society.
He noted that youth empowerment through AI and digital skills align with the sub-theme of the celebration: Harnessing Youth Skills for Economic Growth and Innovation in Line with the ARISE Agenda.
He said, “We want young girls coming together, trying to be innovative, creating an app that would proffer solutions to impending or existing problems of a society. It interests me especially when I see young girls do that because before now female children did not thrive in that area but now they are outstanding.
“One thing about Umo Eno’s administration is that it is people’s driven, he is doing so much in capital human development, in the nearest future we are going to have a community where everything needed abroad is found at the local communities let us join hands to support the governor and his ARISE agenda.
“This celebration is not just a ceremonial event but a clear declaration of the administration’s resolve to prepare our young people for a digital and innovation-driven future.”
Speaking, the state program manager of the Akwa Ibom State Agency for the Control of Aids (AKSACA) Dr Enobong Akpan said AI is being adopted in everything they do at the health sector starting from the area of programme management to any public health disease management.
He also charged medical school managements to ensure that students thrive in digital literacy by exposing them early enough to requisite tools.
“I make bold to say the administration of Pastor Umo Eno is in the trajectory of incorporating AI into the health sector
Before now, secondary hospitals are linked up through data, the health care sector will need additional training in AI. The governor through the commissioner for health has approved the Ibom international hospital that hospital when it comes wil be am answer to AI driven tools in health sector in Akwa Ibom,” he added.
On his part Emmanuel Etukudoh, debunked the assumption that AI came to displace people from their jobs, saying it rather came to complement it. He called for structures for youths to learn digital skills and policy reforms to give them enabling environment to practice.
The highpoint of the event was the emergence of an SS1 student of a public school, Christian Secondary Commercial School, Uyo, as the winner of the pitch contest with a groundbreaking Agric-guard innovation.
The young innovator scored 83 percent, clinching the first prize and earning the sum of N1,000,000, which will be presented by Governor Umo Eno.
Commissioner tasks Akwa Ibom youths on tech innovation
