As part of its commitment towards ensuring digital literacy and protection of lives of its workforce, the Ogun State Government through the Bureau of Information Technology (BIT) has commenced training classes for Information Technology (IT) professionals.

          The Special Assistant to the Governor on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mr. Olukunle Akibola made this known in Abeokuta at the opening ceremony of the training, noting that the training classes include, Internet, Computing, Core and Certification (IC3), Cyber Security, Data Protection Policy, Fire Safety and Prevention.

          Akibola said it was expedient for IT professionals in the State workforce to acquire knowledge on data protection policy, to protect government procedures from cyber threats, and receive global certification such as IC3, in order to attain international standards on digital literacy.     

The Special Assistant stated that other ICT managers in Nigeria had gone through the various stages of the training, especially IC3 which offers global certification, adding that it is essential that the staffers also acquire the same skills, as capacity building was a priority of Prince Dapo Abiodun's led administration.

          He pointed out that the Bureau had also included fire safety and prevention in the training to ensure that staffers work to promote governance digitally, learn simple tasks to prevent fire outbreaks during and after working hours.

          "When staffers have vast knowledge about global standards of digital literacy, especially IC3, it will transit the State to the global digital economy landscape. Also, being knowledgeable about how to prevent fire occurrence would enhance productivity", Akibola said.

Speaking, the Chief Executive Officer, Commit Technology and Consult Limited, Dr. Niran Oyekale whose company handled the IC3 in collaboration with a US-Based organisation, Certiport, commended the government for the initiative, saying Ogun was the first State in Nigeria to subject its workforce to such baseline assessment training and international certification.

Also speaking, the Fire Safety and Prevention, Area Commander, Ogun State Fire Services, Ota Fire Station, Commander Odukoya Adeboye said the essence of the training on fire prevention and safety control was necessary due to incessant bush burning, noting that if the participants could put into practice what they had learned, there would be no record of inferno at homes and government offices.

 Responding on behalf of other participants, the Directors, Standard Regulations and Planning and her counterpart in Software and Infrastructure, Bureau of Information Technology (BIT), Mrs. Olatundun Adekunte and Engr. Adeyemi Olaleye respectively, described the training as timely, saying the knowledge gained would be put to good use.