The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has pledged its continual promotion of digital literacy and skills to Persons With Disabilities (PWD) in line with its mandate to ensure the implementation of equal opportunities and promote digital inclusion.
The Director-general of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, made the pledge during a courtesy visit by the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD), James Lalu, and his team at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
The NITDA boss assured the NCPWD of NITDA’s continual inclusion of PWDs in all its initiatives, with a special training session specifically targeted at equipping them with tools, knowledge and skills in digital transformation.
Mr Inuwa said, “Building a digitally inclusive community requires participation and support from all stakeholders, and partnership with the NCPWD would accelerate the campaign of promoting digital inclusion.
“We can work together to design special initiatives that would expand the impact of the two organisations.
“We can organise a challenge where people would come up with ideas to create a disability-friendly application.”
Mr Inuwa further stated that “the NCPWD can work towards building a special IT hub, while NITDA provides the technical know-how and necessary tools.”
Mr Inuwa informed the team that the agency had opened a link where PWDs in the South-South zone could register for a five-day empowerment programme in digital skills and entrepreneurship, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from January 24 to 28, 2022.
In response, Mr Lalu commended NITDA for its efforts in promoting digital inclusion among PWDs. However, he noted that the PWD community wishes the training lasted for more extended periods.
My Lalu also hopes that a curriculum is developed, providing experts and training facilitators at the NCPWD eLearning Training Centre.