The Somolu Local Government has concluded the third edition of its TechSpark programme, an initiative aimed at equipping children with relevant Information and Communication Technology skills during the long vacation.
The programme, which ran from August 3 to August 26, featured training in web development, drone technology, Artificial Intelligence and online safety.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Chairman of Somolu Local Government, Hon. Lateef Ashimi, said the initiative was designed to ensure that children make productive use of the holiday period while acquiring knowledge that would be useful to their future.
According to him, technology remains a key driver of development, adding that children must be equipped with relevant skills to enable them become useful to themselves and the community.
He said, “Instead of them playing around or engaging themselves in other nefarious activities, we need to imbibe more knowledge that will be of betterment to their future.”
Ashimi said the council was also considering the distribution of laptops and tablets to some beneficiaries as a gesture to enable them further develop the skills acquired during the training.
He urged the children not to abandon what they had learnt but to continue researching and learning more after the programme.
The council chairman added that another level of training would be introduced for participants who had acquired basic knowledge, noting that a masterclass was being planned for outstanding and promising participants.
He also commended parents and guardians for allowing their children to participate in the programme and urged them to continue monitoring and supporting their learning.
The Supervisor for ICT, Somolu Local Government, Mr. Kola Mohamed, said TechSpark was an ICT initiative created to expose children to opportunities they might not have during their regular academic activities.
Mohamed said the programme, held annually during the long summer holiday, was designed to make participants not only consumers of technology but also creative users and future builders.
“TechSpark is an idea to spark the brains, curiosity and creativity in our kids,” he said.
According to him, the third edition recorded 423 registrations, with the programme currently serving about 235 participants and attracting an average daily attendance of over 230 children.
Mohamed explained that the training had both basic and advanced classes, with the council planning a masterclass for participants who demonstrate greater interest and promise.
He stressed the importance of online safety, urging parents to pay close attention to their children’s online activities and provide adequate guidance.
“Every technology that we are teaching them will be used online, but you have to be safe online,” he said.
Earlier, participants and their parents commended the TechSpark programme, describing it as part of efforts to promote digital literacy and prepare young people for opportunities in an increasingly technology-driven world.