Microsoft and Nokia take agricultural, educational solutions to Calabar

Microsoft and Nokia are targeting solutions to fan up agricultural and educational transformations in the country at Innovation Forum 2014 to be hosted by Cross Rivers State Government.

The 2014 Innovation Forum organized by Microsoft and Nokia holds in partnership with Dahlberg, a global development advisors, in order to brainstorm and agree initial action plans on how innovation and technology solution can be deployed in the two key sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

The forum, scheduled for April 11 at the Tinapa Lakeside Hotel in Calabar, will look at ICT innovation in Education and Agriculture as key drivers for the country’s development and at state level, with a special focus on Cross River State.

It would also provide a great platform for public-private partnerships across the widest number of stakeholders including governments, businesses, academia, civil society and local entrepreneurs.

Speaking on the Forum at a press conference, at the weekend, Mr. Odo Effiong, special adviser to the Cross Rivers State Governor on ICT, described the State as delighted to host the forum, adding that the administration has been focusing on other sectors, particularly ICT as means to end excess dependence on oil.

According to him, the choice areas-agriculture and education, was timely, highlighting that 70% of the State population are mostly farmers and are expected to benefit from solutions expected to be unleashed at the Forum.

“We want to see how technology can be used to change the mentality of our people and reposition farmers in the State, who make about 70% of the population. We are excited partner Nokia, Microsoft and other stakeholders who are interested in using ICT to better the worth of the rural dwellers as well.

“We are re-strategizing on ICT usage. We are thinking outside the box by not depending on oil as the only source of revenue or to build our developmental plans on oil. For instance, 60 out of 242 public schools in the State have been upgraded with ICT facilities to meet the educational quests of our people,” he said, adding that they the State had partnered with Microsoft on several areas to maximize technological trends to improve on educational programmes.

Earlier, Mr. Chuma Ukeagu, director, Public Sector, Microsoft Nigeria, said that the platform-Innovation Forum should be viewed from its national relevance as issues discussed revolve round e-health, e-governance, agriculture, education, among others.

“For Example, the unemployment situation in the country should be seen from the perspective of curriculum disconnect. By the time someone graduates from school, is there anything to lay hands on as models to direct the focus. So, we in Microsoft have discovered that one of the ways to address this challenge is by digitalizing the curriculum.

“It does not stop there. We want to make sure that someone can actually get information on starting up a business, write a business oriented proposal and the likes. So, we have dedicated a portal to that effect,” he said.

He maintained that Microsoft has been on the vanguard for Nigeria’s knowledge base economy quests.

From Nokia’s perspective, Mr. Olumide Balogun, senior product manager, Nokia West Africa, said that the Mobile devices company described the Innovation Forum 2014 as invention inclined.

He added, it is an opportunity to reach out to the software developers’ community, aiding them to articulate solutions capable of re-inventing the primary economic sectors to be focused on during the Forum.

Also, Ijeoma Abazie, head, corporate Affairs, Microsoft Nigeria, said at least 12 developers are expected to make presentations on solutions to galvanize education and agricultural sectors in the State and Nigeria in general.

She said, some of the developers have already demonstrated and implemented such solutions in other few States.

“The Forum was introduced in 2012; this year, we will be focusing on agriculture and discussing it on a national scale and zero-in on Cross River State. The Forum dwells on the usage of innovations and technology orientation solutions to spur our national competitiveness. Developers are coming with their solutions to give farmers hope, among other important discussions to be looked at,” she added.

Studies have actually shown the link between ICT and national competitiveness hence the imperativeness of the Forum in driving Federal Government’s vision 20:2020 agenda.