The Unites States Cultural Affairs Officer, Kevin Krapf, has advised pupils in Osun State public secondary schools to explore the opportunities available in Information and Communication Technology.
Krapf gave this advice in Ede, Osun, at the presentation of certificates to some pupils trained in computer applications, codes and programming.
Krapf said the ICT was one of the ways the pupils could show their talents and skills, adding that it would assist them in their studies and make them more useful to themselves and humanity even after their education.
He said, “This is inspiring. I am proud you understand that you are all shining stars. This is one of the areas where you can show your talents. There are many opportunities you can explore in this.
“What is being done today is part of my responsibilities to Nigeria. The programme is being supported by our Exchange Alumni. This is an ICT programme for pupils of grammar schools who were trained for six weeks.
“The benefit of this kind of programme is that they (pupils) are now computer literate and they can take up vocations and potential employments, they can build this knowledge of coding to find more worthy things.”
The President, US Exchange Programme Alumni, Osun State, Mr. Femi Adefila, expressed gratitude to the US government for the grants which the members of the alumni enjoyed during the exchange programme.
He said the programme exposed them to many opportunities, stressing that this was why they also decided to organise training for some pupils in order to have a positive impact on the society.
According him, there are many opportunities in the ICT which the younger ones can explore to make their future brighter.
Adefila said, “The government should be able to bring this kind of thing to their ( pupils) door steps and give them that opportunity. We started about eight weeks ago and the students have been doing wonderfully well. The first one took place at the Government High School, Osogbo between May and July. Students acquired enough skills and developed computer application programmes in education management
“The Osun State Government is investing in education and we believe as the alumni of the US Exchange Programme, we are contributing to this in order to ensure proper development of the pupils especially in the aspect of computer.”
