By Emily Eghosa
The Permanent Secretary, Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), Mrs. Birgitta Okodugha has stressed the need for more investment in research towards developing technology in order to upgrade existing technologies and create new theories upon which new technology will be built.
Mrs. Okodugha gave this charge while giving a lecture at the Second International Conference of The Nigerian Institution of Professional Engineers and Scientists (NIPES) in collaboration with the National Centre for Energy, Energy Commission of Nigeria (NCEE). The conference was held at the National Center for Energy and Environment, University of Benin, Benin City with the theme “Emerging Trends in Science and Engineering towards 4.0 Revolution”.
In her address, Mrs. Okodugha said “There is a digital transformation in all areas of governance in Edo State”. She explained further that Edo State was already practicing the paperless economy and had won the national award for the best state in E-governance implementation as awarded by the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy in December 2022.
Mrs. Okodugha cited the case of the cashless economy and that only technology would enable it to function correctly. She spoke extensively on the 5G network already in some parts of the country and how one might not be able to access certain functions and applications on the internet without upgrading.
According to the Permanent Secretary, skills are of great importance in order to adapt and key into the ongoing trends in technology. She spoke on the necessity of a ready workplace, software engineering skills, and designs tech skills maintaining that these skills can be acquired online, another advantage of technology.
Mrs Okodugha who was awarded a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Professional Engineers and Scientists thanked the organisers of the event and commended the UNIBEN Chapter of NIPES for its relentless effort in improving science and technology. She promised stronger partnership between the institution, members of NIPES, NCEE, ICTA, and the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Also present at the event, was the Vice Chancellor, UNIBEN, Prof. L.I Salami, who the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, University of Benin, Prof. Catherine Ukponmwan represented. The Vice-Chancellor expressed delight that the conference was being held at the University premises, especially at a time when the global economic landscape and industrialisation are moving to the fourth revolution.
Prof. Salami added that “the present challenges facing our country can be addressed if we devote and channel our energies to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics”.
