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Operator harps on devt of local talents for economic growth

By Oluwatosin Areo
21 August 2019   |   3:34 am
Systemspecs, a financial technology firm, has called for organisations to invest in economic and technology advocacy to attract foreign exchange and boost economic growth.

Executive Director, Systemspecs, Deremi Atanda

Systemspecs, a financial technology firm, has called for organisations to invest in economic and technology advocacy to attract foreign exchange and boost economic growth.
 
This, according to the firm, will lead to the development of local talents that are globally competitive. Calling for Nigerians to adopt a long term strategy by increasing digital awareness, the firm said this move would support local businesses.
 
Speaking during the Tech Quest Summer camp sponsored by Remita, Executive Director, Systemspecs, Deremi Atanda, said Nigeria can build a huge talent base and develop the needed local resources.

 
Although Nigeria has a high number of out of school children already, Atanda said Remita’s strategy is to ensure that those who are still in school get the basic education and exposure to be globally competitive.
  
He noted that Nigeria is currently challenged in planning for school children, as the available resources are not sufficient.
He said: “It is time to realise that we can’t play politics with education, health, and security. The government should be deliberate in doing things right by supporting long term initiatives aimed at national development,
 
“How can we ensure that they achieve the purpose for which they are in school? Basic education is supposed to be qualitative and enforced within 9 years of a child’s life. Also, it is to be sure that we are preparing the children for the capacity that exists. This is what drives the involvement of Remita in the Summer Coding camp.”
 
Atanda said the project is a long term initiative, hence the need to train children. “It may be too late if you train them at the tertiary level because their minds must have been made up. The economic attraction is very huge for these kids; they also become globally competitive much earlier,” he added.
  
He mentioned that Nigeria has all the global tools needed and that’s the commitment the firm is taking.

“At Remita, we want to contribute our own quota considering the impact in years to come. There will be more than enough technology talents that can bring in foreign exchange and develop solutions that we need,” he added.
  
“Let’s take responsibility for solving our own problems. Nigeria should be handing out technology aids not just sending troops and teachers. Let’s celebrate others in this space and that informed our partnership with TechQuest and many other initiatives. Remita is a made in Nigeria product and we need people to be able to identify with the indigenous success stories,” Atanda added.

Programme Manager & Head of Business, Tech Quest STEM Academy, Kelvin Umechukwu, said the tech training for kids is to channel their inquisitiveness, change their mentality and show them how to be innovators.
 
Umechukwu added that empowering young people with skills, knowledge and resources needed would help build solutions for both present and future.
 
Lauding the efforts of Remita, he said, the fintech firm is forward-thinking and have shown interest by their support.
  
He said: “For TechQuest, this project is currently going on in 12 states in Nigeria and we are looking to expand. We have impacted over 11,000 kids and we hope to do more through community program engagement.”
 
“This is just a two weeks engagement to introduce kids to different aspects of technology. We also challenge them by building a community of innovative young techies. We have a learning platform where kids can continue the training from. What we are saying is that we can build early. We should be able to take advantage of their curiosity,” he added.
  
He, however, called for collaboration from the private sector to drive the desired change.

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