Agency engages 300 students on AI & Robotics

Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NiTDA) has trained 300 students drawn from 30 FCT schools under the auspices of Abuja Young Entrepreneurs Club (AYEC).

Addressing the trainees drawn from all the participants drawn from FCT private and public schools, the FCT Head of the Civil Service, Dr. Udo Samuel Atang, described the programme as a beacon of hope and a testament to the commitment of the FCT Administration in empowering young minds in schools towards developing the educational sector.

Atang, who was represented by the Ag. Director of Human Resource Management, Mr. Akinkumi Oguniran, while congratulating the young entrepreneurs, said technology drives innovation, enhances efficiency and creates skills which ultimately contributes to nation building.

He encouraged the trainees to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to create impactful solutions within their schools and communities.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Ag. Managing Director/CEO of AEA, Mr. Chudi Ugwuada-Ezirigwe, said  AYEC was set up with the mission to inculcate the entrepreneurial spirit in young population so as to make them job creators instead of job seekers.

He said the training was conducted in three batches from 15th to 25th November 2023 at the AEA Complex on focused areas of programming, artificial intelligence, coding and robotics.

Mr. Ugwuada-Ezirigwe explained that the students were grouped in batches and they developed various projects using the skills learnt during the programming and robotics sessions to invent, design, manufacture and operate robots that can function intelligently and perform given instructions.

He lauded the FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike along with the Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud as well as the Head of the Civil Service, Dr. Udo Samuel Atang and the Director-General (DG) of NiTDA, Dr. Kashifu Inuwa, for providing support to the Agency, which made it possible to perform optimally.

Also speaking at the event, the DG of NiTDA, Dr. Kashifu Inuwa praised the AYEC partnership with AEA as the Agency’s cornerstone on comprehensive digital literacy, which echoes the national vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ in prioritizing economic reforms and achieving sustained inclusive growth.

Represented by Mr. Oladejo Olawumi, Director for Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions at NiTDA, Dr. Kashifu called on the participants to nurture their entrepreneurial spirit by relying on the knowledge and resources gained through the training.

He said: “The devices you receive are powerful tools-gateways to a World of possibilities. Use them to explore, to learn and to create. Don’t be afraid to experiment, to collaborate with your peers and to seek guidance from your teachers and mentors.”

Highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of laptops and desktops to all the participants drawn from private and public schools in the FCT.