Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has introduced new strategies to boost ICT literacy in an effort to elevate service standards across the state and eliminate unqualified practitioners.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to combat quackery in the civil service and promote the swift integration of technology in state operations.
Fubara announced these measures during a dinner for delegates of the 2024 International Conference of the Nigeria Computer Society, held at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday evening.
He instructed the State Civil Service Commission to ensure that no ICT staff is promoted without having obtained certification from the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, a body established by Decree No. 49 of 1993 to oversee the computing profession in Nigeria in collaboration with the Nigeria Computer Society.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Governor Fubara expressed his commitment to eliminating quackery, stating, “What are we trying to do? It is to make sure that we push away quacks. We make sure that this society is noble. That is what you get when you are dealing with a civil servant.”
The Governor emphasized his background as a civil servant before entering politics, noting, “I am a civil servant before becoming a politician. I did not just jump into politics, so I have records, I am coming from somewhere, I understand procedures.”
Fubara highlighted that the application of ICT in the State has led to a significant increase in the government’s internally generated revenue and noted that the State Civil Service has been fully automated.
He remarked that all state civil service recruitments are now conducted online and other processes are increasingly technology-driven.
“Our major interest is to better the State, nothing less and nothing more. To better the State, better it, we have met it in a particular state, what will people ask us when we leave. Did you leave it the way you met it or did you add value?” he said.
He also underscored the global push towards Artificial Intelligence and its potential benefits for sectors like Healthcare, Education, and Agriculture. He urged the NCS to use AI positively for national development, rather than for illegitimate purposes, stating, “If we have to stand and believe that we should not be oppressed, we should all stand with something – we should have a means of livelihood.”
Fubara assured the NCS of his administration’s inclusivity and open-door policy and offered to host future conferences of the Society. H
He added, “Our eyes are already on the ball. We know what we want and by the special grace of God, we are already achieving them.”
He also addressed negative media portrayals, urging delegates to disregard any disparaging reports and witness firsthand the state’s tranquility and hospitality.
Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ovy Chinedum Chukwuma, praised the Governor for his dedication to technological advancement, highlighting investments in the State ICT Centre and educational facilities aimed at equipping the youth with technology skills.
President of the Nigeria Computer Society,Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu, commended Fubara for his support and the peaceful nature of Rivers State, expressing the delegates’ willingness to return for future sessions.
The evening concluded with the presentation of various awards, including Best Paper Award, Prof Astella C. Chiemeke’s Prize for the Best Research in Doctoral Consortium, and accolades from the 2024 NCS Whizkids Competition and Panama 2023 World Robotic Olympiad.
