The wife of the Governor of Bayelsa State Dr. (Mrs) Gloria Douye Diri has again emphasized the importance of ICT and Computer literacy in the development of human and the society at large.

According to her, the introduction of Technovation Digital Entrepreneurship Technology into the school system would expose students to innovations in the world governed by technology.

Dr. Gloria Diri who was represented by the PDP State Woman Leader, Mrs Christy Ebbeli, made the remark during a Technovation Regional Pitch Event programmed sponsored by the EDTF in partnership with odyssey Educational foundation held at the DSP Alamieyeiseigha banquet Hall, Government House in Yenagoa.

According to the Governor’s wife, the technovation programme are geared towards bridging the skill gap of women empowerment, enabling them to become digital technological entrepreneurs in the world.

She urged the beneficiaries of the programme to take the regional pitch event seriously in order to acquire the needed skills to compete favourably with their counterparts in the world.

In his remark, The Chairman of the Education Development Trust Fund Professor Turner Isoun represented by Professor Francis Sikoki lauded the wife of the Governor Dr, (Mrs.) Gloria Douye Diri for the passionate initiative and achievement made through her pet project foundation fashioned towards the development of girl child to impart society.

He expressed confident that, the regional pitch event programme would avail Her Excellency Dr, (Mrs.) Gloria Douye Diri the opportunity to identify areas of collaboration with the EDTF to advance the Girl Child Education.

According to Prof Isoun, the Board is judiciously managing and regulating the funds for the development of Education at all level in the State and aims to equip the student with skills to enable them provide solutions to challenges in the society.

He further explained that, as an interventionist agency, the EDTF in collaboration with Odyssey Educational Foundation Sponsored the technovation programme with the view to closing the gap and providing girls with the needed skills to become technology entrepreneurs and world problem solvers as well as future leaders.

The Board Chairman used the occasion to highlight some of the achievements of EDTF to include, the sponsoring of 100 girls students in the Model Secondary Schools and 50 Teachers/Principals on creative coding and robotic and related computer based programmes, provision of adequate information and communicative technology (ICT) equipments and facilities in all the Model Secondary Schools and among others.

In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of the EDTF Dr. (Mrs) Alice Atuwo expressed delight over the technovation programme particularly, the development of our young girls in the 12 Model Secondary Schools, on modern trend in technology.

According to her, the aim and objective of the three (3) months long training programme for 100 girls was to bridge the gap of technological skills and women empowerment stating that it was a platform to help the girls increase their potentials tackling gender inequality in the area of science and technology.

Dr. Atuwo therefore used the opportunity to appeal to dignitaries at the occasion to support and sponsor teams that would be called up for higher competition through the Pitch Event Programme.

She appreciated the Governor of Bayelsa State Senator Douye Diri for the trust and support given to EDTF to achieve its set goals and objectives.

The Executive Secretary equally appreciated the Odyssey Educational Foundation for partnering the EDTF saying, she believe the partnership would result in more collaborative programmes for Bayelsa Student.

Also, speaking the member representing Sagbama, Ekeremor Federal Constituency Hon. Fredrick Agbedi who doubles as Chairman of the occasion, also appreciated the EDTF and Odyssey Educational Foundation for sponsoring the programme.

According to him, the global space is getting more competitive in technology and urged the students to put in their best to acquire the needed skill to become real problem solvers in the society.

He expressed happiness over the programme and urged the EDTF to call for more support and partnership with other stakeholder groups to ensure the sustenance of the programme.

The Federal Lawmaker, during the pitch event also presented a new 18 seater bus donated by the EDTF to the students of Ijaw National Academy Kaiama.

Also, the Chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, King Bubaraye  Dakolo expressed delight in seeing young girls displaying their talents in technology, creating of mobile apps aimed at solving problems in their communities.

He emphasized the important of technology in modern society and appreciated the EDTF for providing the right environment for the girls while urging the students to take advantage of the golden opportunity.

King Dakolo also called on the Governor of Bayelsa State and the EDTF to devote quality time on educating the student on their culture to enable them stand tall in the outer society.

In a good will message, via zoom Deborah Boye, Chief Operation Officer,  technovation from the USA expressed excitement for the resumption of technovation programme in Nigerian Schools and for the first time in Bayelsa State.

Boye also commended the State government for bringing digital technology to the girl’s child and expressed her willingness to see winners emerging from Bayelsa State.

The Regent of Tarakiri Clan and Chairman of Publicity and Sensitization Committee of the EDTF, His Royal Majesty, Fidelis Agbiki, also expressed appreciation towards the wonderful performance of the girls on the regional pitch event.

The Traditional Ruler urged students to keep at the innovation and make the State proud as they progress with the National and global challenge.  

He urged parents to give their children and wards proper upbringing by teaching them good morals to be diligent in the society.

Also speaking, the Chairman House Committee on Education, Bayelsa State House of Assembly Hon. Salo Adikumo, expressed appreciation to the State Government for the establishment of EDTF to tackle some Educational challenges in the State.

Hon. Adikumo appreciated the EDTF for sponsoring the Technovation Programme and for its commitment towards promoting Science and Technology among young girls.

The Lawmaker equally urged the participants to strive more and acquire the prerequisite skills on ICT Innovation and Technology so as to solve some of the problems in their immediate environment.

At the end of the presentation of Mobile App Pitch Event, the Unique Girls Team from Government Model Secondary School, Ogbia, the Achievers team from Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama and team Finz from Government Model Secondary School, Twon Brass emerged as the top three of the event.

Following their victory, two of the beneficiaries Otonbara Emmanuella of Team Finz from Government Model Secondary School, Twon Brass and Saturday Gloria of Team Unique Girls from Government Model Secondary School, Ogbia Town will lead their teams to the semifinals and finals in the Global Mobile App Development competition.

The high point of the event was the presentation of award to the EDTF and participating students.