MAF ICT centre, CAI train 100 students

A total of 100 students have been trained by the Hon. Moruf Akinderu Fatai (MAF) Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Centre located at Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State in conjunction with the Computer Aid International (CAI).

The centre is part of the constituency project of Hon. Moruf Akinderu Fatai representing the Oshodi-Isolo 1 at the Federal House of Representatives, the lower house of the National Assembly. While, CAI, is a United Kingdom-based non-profit organization with specialty in deploying ICT solutions in reducing poverty among developing countries of the world.

Making this revelation recently in Lagos, while on a visit to the centre, the West Africa Programme Manager at Computer Aid International, Ms Anne Musyoki, said it was exciting to see what the centre was able to achieve within a space of time with the Personal Computers (PCs) provided by CAI.

According to her, the Hon. Moruf Akinderu Fatai centre has received two consignments from CAI, stressing that the consignments were received before last October and has been able to train 100 students in web designing and management, Peachtree Accounting and computer engineering.

This achievement, she said, would encourage CAI, which has shipped over 150,000 PCs to where they are mostly needed in over 100 countries of the world to be consistent in partnering with MAF, noting that the London office of Computer Aid International, there is a workshop to track, data-wipe, test and professionally refurbish each donated PC and laptops.

“These are then packed and shipped to educational and community organizations in developing countries,” she asserted.

Giving more insight on the training, the technical officer in charge of the MAF ICT centre, Mr. Yinka, commended Ms Musyoki for finding time to visit the centre, while on official visit to the Nigeria.

Yinka reaffirmed that the Constituency ICT training centre has passed out 100 students who performed creditably in computer appreciation for beginners, web designing and management, peachtree accounting and computer engineering.

In the computer appreciation for beginners, he said, the first set that pass-out were 60 students, web designing and management - 20, Peachtree Accounting – 10, even as the Computer Engineering course successfully passed out 10 students.

“The approach of teaching in Hon. MAF centre is to bridge the gap between theories and practical that is why we encourage one person to one computer,” he declared.

Yinka hinted that the second batch, which is ongoing, has since commenced examination and expected to pass-out another set of 100 students before the year ends.

He further explained that the second batch students include participants drawn from the Oshodi-Isolo community and made up of youths and the old.

Also speaking the Education Officer, New State Primary School, Oshodi, Lagos, V.O. Ibitola, said they were pleased to note the contribution of CAI, which has given them opportunity to equip pupils on the use of computer packages, such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point.

“We are positive that these skills would give them a front line start when faced with computer tasks in college, their everyday life and the work place,” Ibitola said.

Some of these pupils, Ibitola pointed out, have never handled a computer system and are finding it fascinating and interesting.

“They almost never want to leave the computer laboratory,” Ibitola declared, stressing that the teaching staff have also found the use of some computer packages very handy especially when typing letters, saving files and preparing lecture notes.

“I wish other primary schools are able to enjoy this facility. Its introduction has brightened the future of the pupils in my school,” the educationist acknowledged and expressed gratitude to CAI for the progress thus far.


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