It was a brainstorming session that ensued on Thursday, when the Dean, Faculty of Management Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Pius Okoye and the Chief Executive Officer of the first Blockchain Hub in Nigeria, Adedeji Owonibi, visited Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata “CFA”, the MD/CEO, Anambra State ICT Agency, at the Agency’s headquarters at the State Government House, Awka.
Adedeji, was in Anambra to attend a program at the Faculty of Management Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, and decided to visit the State ICT Agency to reignite old ties with CFA.
During the visit, Owonibi took some time to appreciate CFA and the agency for the commendable work they are doing in the state and expressed his interest in potential collaboration.
He suggested that the agency could take advantage of some initiatives of the World Bank projects available for states, to create a safe space for start-up hubs in the state, and which could also help give impetus to the digitization process in Anambra State.
Mr. Owonibi further emphasized the importance of Blockchain and cybersecurity as game-changers that could help secure donations and relief efforts, which have in the past been marred by massive misappropriation.
“I strongly believe that Blockchain technology can also address the problem of fake academic results in schools and facilitate the seamless transfer of certificates and transcripts globally, regardless of location, with a focus on verifiability and traceability,” he noted.
On his part, Prof. Okoye, the UNIZIK Management Faculty Dean, expressed his openness to embrace transformative ideas that can enhance digital learning and skill acquisition for students of the Federal institution, whose population is made up of mostly Anambra people.
In his response, the Anambra ICT Agency Boss, CFA expressed appreciation for the insightful visit by the distinguished individuals, adding that their visit was an acknowledgment of the visible transformation Mr. Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, is leveraging technology to bring in the state governance.
“As the State ICT Agency, we want to make clear, our willingness to explore collaboration in areas related to the digital ecosystem.
“We also recognize the potential of Blockchain technology in advancing the state’s education standards in the right direction. This we are aggressively pursuing with the support of line government agencies in Anambra because the governor has handed us the charge or achieving his vision of “Everything Technology and Technology Everywhere” in the state,” CFA posited.
