A frontline NGO, Aderonke Foundation recently empowered no fewer than 79 school-age children in Ikaram community in Ondo State with basic computer skills to enable them to thrive in an increasingly globalized world.
The Executive Director of Aderonke Foundation, Dr. Aderonke Kujore Adelekan, disclosed this in an interview with The Herald on Tuesday.
She disclosed that the project is being organized under the foundation’s TechSavvyNigeria program.
“In an effort to bridge the digital divide in Nigeria, TechSavvyNigeria has been offering basic computer information technology training to children across Nigeria,” the development expert said.
“For the first time, we will be bringing technology education to the children of Ikaram community in Ondo State. All the children who may never have seen or worked on a computer will get the opportunity to learn about computers, get practical experience using it, and they will also understand the opportunities available to them through computers,” she told this newspaper during an earlier chat.
According to her, the project which commenced on Monday in Ikaram will continue to provide technology education indefinitely “as long as we continue to get the support of the Ikaram leadership”.
“Our goal is to ensure that all the children of Ikaram and ultimately Nigeria have a basic understanding of computer information technology,” Dr Adelekan stated on Tuesday.
She explained that all the beneficiaries would be introduced to the rudiments of computer knowledge before advancing to more complex concepts.
The Aderonke Foundation boss said the children have so far learned “what a computer is and what it is used for, how to turn it on, off, and they explored some of its functions like the menu, tour, calculator and help functions.
“In future sessions, they will be learning how to use excel, word, draw, and basic coding as well as learning the occupations available to them through computers.”
On the motivation for the project, Dr Adelekan said, “All of this is being done by Aderonke Foundation around the country to bridge the digital divide.
“Over 20,000 students are actively in the program this year and the goal is to ensure that every Nigerian child is digitally literate.”
She expressed a strong interest in working with other well-meaning individuals, governors, and national and state legislators to bring computer education to the children in their communities stating that “no Nigerian child should be left behind”.
See photos of the TechSavvyNigeria program from across the country: 
