Intel, Others Unveil Affordable ICT Solutions Initiative For Nigerians

Intel Corporation yesterday announced a new initiative aimed at educating and bringing more affordable and accessible ICT solutions to Nigerians as part of its sustained commitment to improvement of ICT skills in millions of youths and entrepreneurs and Nigeria’s sustainable economic growth. The initiative, which is being pursued in collaboration with major global players in the ICT, banking and telecommunications sectors such as Microsoft, Dell, Lenovo, Hewlett Packard, HP, Asus, Tecno, RLG, Zinox, Airtel and Diamond Bank, is designed to help Nigerians better understand how an affordable PC with more functionality and operational features can improve their lives. Specifically, the programme is designed as a multiyear programme that leverages partnerships from both private organisations and the government to ensure that a laptop and internet are afforadable and accessible to Nigerians from all works of life.

The goal is to expand the laptop and broadbank market reach to other states, partnering with Diamond Bank and Airtel to achieve a truly smart and connected Nigeria. Speaking at the unveiling of the initiative that comes with the message ‘With a Computer You are Powerful’ in Lagos, Intel’s Regional Director for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) Cidgem Ertem, explained that the purpose of the collaboration with other ecosystem partners in Nigeria was to help in creating enabling environment for improved PCs and ICT skills acquisition for millions of Nigerian youths and entrepreneurs as a means of creating a knowledgeable workforce required for Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global economy. According to her, the programme will further help bridge the innovation and entrepreneurship gap in the economy and by so doing foster the diversification of the nation’s economic base.

Ertem said: “At Intel, we are committed to enriching lives through technology but most importantly empowerment through programs that are aimed at equipping people with the right technology skill sets. “The joint PC adoption initiative is one of the ways we will urge consumers to pursue their passions and creativity using the latest PC devices powered by Intel processor”, she added. In his remarks at the forum, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation/Youth Empowerment, Mr Afolabi Imokhuede, restated Federal Government’s determination to tackle youth unemployment in the country as a strategic step towards creating a competent workforce needed by Nigeria to become globally competitive. While commending the Intel and other partners on the affordable PC and Internet penetration for their focus on ICT skills development for youths and entrepreneurs in the country, he however harped on the need for all stakeholders to support the drive towards delivering affordable PCs to the Nigerian market. The President’s aide, who also spoke on programmes of government targeted at improving the competencies of the labour force, said that beyond the ICT tools there was also the need for stakeholders to focus on content development and vocational trainings in order to realise the laudable objectives.