Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has approved the purchase of 500 laptop computers worth N46 million for the one-laptop-per-child policy.
Alhaji Nasiru Zarummai, the Special Adviser to Wamakko on ICT, told newsmen in Sokoto on Thursday that this was due to the approval for the commencement of the policy.
He said 100 children from five primary and secondary schools had been selected for the pilot programme.
"The policy is aimed at boosting the educational development of the state. The policy is generally aimed at improving the delivery of quality education to youths of the state," he said.
Zarummai said the governor had also approved the establishment of an additional ICT resource centre in Sokoto, excluding the three existing ones at Government House, Women Affairs Ministry and the ICT Directorate headquarters.
The special adviser said government would soon submit a draft bill for the establishment of an ICT agency to the state House of Assembly.
" This is to ensure legislation on the use of ICT in Sokoto State and to ensure the enforcement of the National Communications Commission laws.
" There will be domestication of ICT software while a laboratory will be set up to design home-made software applications, especially in the management of hospital records across the state."
He said the committee set up by the State Government to harmonised the establishment of a data base for workers in the state had since submitted its report.
In the same vein, the special adviser said the ICT directorate was collaborating with an Indian-based firm to set up ICT professional certification programmes.
"Local training facilities will be provided in Sokoto to train the workers of the state and local governments to save foreign exchange," he said.
Zarummai commended the National Information Technology Development Agency ( NITDA) for training 30 computer engineers, scientists and technicians from the state.
