The Global Initiative for Entrepreneurship and Capacity Development, an ICLED NGO, and ICLED xBusiness School, Lekki, Lagos, (IBS) in collaboration with her USA Partner, Smart Kids Club USA is set to hold an Education conference to address the Global Digital Divide in primary education in Nigeria.

The theme of the conference is tagged, ‘Nigeria reads: A Panacea for Reducing the Digital Divide and Marginalization of the Primary School Students as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic,’ while it will be moderated by Johanna Le Blanc, a U.S based National Security and Foreign Affairs Legal Analyst who frequently appears in Channels T.V and many other African Networks.

The conference will be under the Chairmanship of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Dr. Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IVth, CFR. Other Dignitaries which will be from the American Embassy, Consulate General includes the Minister of Education, Honourable Commissioner for Education, Lagos State and corporate organizations while the Keynote Address of the conference will be delivered by Mr. Wale Adeosun, Founder/CEO Kuramo Capital, Manhattan, New York on the topic, ‘The Global Importance of Investing in Education.’

The conference, which is scheduled to take place virtually on Thursday 20th August, 2020 by 10am is expected to have other speakers from the American Embassy and different government functionaries including Mrs Lai Koiki, Founder of Greensprings Schools and Dr. Tajuna Kumari from India.

According to the convener of the conference and founder of ICLED, Professor Olajumoke Familoni, “The Chief Technology Officer of Smart Kids Club, Delaware USA, Mr. Harjeet Singh will present the Application which teaches Literacy and Numeracy skills with no use for Data once downloaded.” Adding that, “This APP from our USA partner which will bridge the divide by teaching reading skills for Literacy and Mathematic skills for Numeracy.”

Familoni informed that the purchase of the APP by the State Governments, the Federal Government, Private Sector, Foundations and NGOs will go a long way to reach the remote areas of the country. She stressed, “There are also children in the cities and in the Northern areas that have no access to education without Data and Power. The COVID 19 has skyrocket the number of students with no access to education thereby increasing the issues of the girl child and increase in vices such as rape, abuse, kidnapping and poverty.”

“Invitation to the Launching of the APP and the Conference has been sent to corporate organizations such as Banks, Senators from USA, Foundations, NGOs, Stakeholders and Members of the Media while over 500 participants have registered worldwide with registration and more information still going on through our website www.icledintl.org or by email info@icledintl.org or 07069089620.” She noted.

Kayode Abayomi
Head, Public Affairs
Ministry of Education
17th August, 2020