Oluremi Tinubu inaugurates Amina Ndalolo Community ICT Centre in Ilorin

…announces N50M grant for female petty traders
By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has inaugurated the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre constructed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

The ICT Centre, located at the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, has been named after former Minister of State for Health, Amina Ndalolo.

Speaking at the inauguration on Tuesday in Ilorin, the First Lady announced that a N50 million grant under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment scope would be distributed to 1,000 women petty traders in Kwara State through the state’s First Lady and RHI State Coordinator.

“With gratitude to God, I officially commission and hand over this centre, named the Amina Ndalolo Community ICT Centre, for the benefit of women and youth in Kwara State.

In the spirit of today’s event, the RHI Economic Empowerment scope will provide a grant of Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000) to support 1,000 women petty traders with N50,000 each to recapitalize their businesses. Earlier, on August 22, 2024, we empowered another 1,000 women petty traders,” she stated.

She expressed delight in commissioning the centre, a collaborative effort between NITDA and the RHI Social Investment Programme, highlighting its potential to bridge the digital divide and empower communities.

The First Lady commended NITDA’s Director-General, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, for his efforts in promoting digital inclusion. She also recalled that NITDA had previously constructed the Zainab Bulkachuwa Community ICT Centre in Bauchi State on March 12, 2024, with more centres in Benue and Oyo States set for commissioning soon.

Senator Tinubu added that other Digital Economy Centres have been equipped with ICT tools in five states, including Jigawa, Ebonyi, Cross River, Oyo, and Niger, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, with ten additional centres across other states nearing completion.

“These centres provide invaluable opportunities, especially for women and girls, enabling them to enhance their education, participate in the global economy, and support their families.

“Today’s commissioning aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to drive economic diversification through digitalisation,” she remarked.

She urged the community to take full ownership of the centre, emphasizing its success depends on active participation and utilization.

Under the RHI Social Investment Programme, she noted, 250 elderly citizens received N200,000 each in December 2024.

In addition, the RHI Education Programme is collaborating with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to establish an Alternative High School for Girls in Kwara State to support girls who dropped out of school due to socio-economic challenges. An Early Childhood Care Development Education (ECCDE) Centre and an ICT Experience Centre at Kwara State University are also in the pipeline.

In agriculture, women and young farmers will benefit from a N68.9 million grant under the Women Agricultural Support Programme (WASP) and other initiatives facilitated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security through RHI.

In her opening remarks, the First Lady of Kwara State, Professor Olufolake Abdulrazaq, commended the initiative, highlighting its potential to equip women and youth with digital skills, thereby fostering a technology-driven future for Nigeria.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in his remarks, appreciated the First Lady and NITDA for the impactful initiative, describing it as a significant investment in technology that ensures progress in the digital era.

DG NITDA, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, noted that the project reflects President Tinubu’s vision of using digital innovation to drive national prosperity.

Earlier, Senator Tinubu visited the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, who commended her efforts and prayed for continued success in her initiatives.

Another highlight of the day was the distribution of food support for the vulnerable through the RHI and ASR Initiative, which Governor AbdulRazaq described as a timely intervention.

The event concluded with Senator Tinubu urging beneficiaries to maximize the centre’s resources to improve their lives and promote positive causes.