April 30, 2025 – Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
In celebration of International Girls in ICT Day, the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Bayelsa State Chapter, in collaboration with the Young Engineers Forum, led a group of students from St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, on a remarkable tour of the Bayelsa ICT Village. The facility, located in the Central Business District, Amarata, Yenagoa, is a flagship project of the Prosperity Administration led by His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri, and supervised by the Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology.
The visiting team was warmly received by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Powei Otrofanowei, who welcomed the delegation on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner, Engr. Munalayefa Edwin Gibson. In her brief remarks, she commended Governor Douye Diri for initiating such a transformative project, noting that the ICT Village would significantly impact the lives of Bayelsans. She further welcomed the visitors as they began their tour to mark the global celebration.
The team was guided around the facility by Mr. Honest Onyerin, Director, PRS and Project Manager, alongside other Directors from the Ministry. They provided valuable insights into the project’s progress and expressed confidence that, once fully equipped, the Bayelsa ICT Village would meet world-class standards.
Several ICT professionals also shared their perspectives on the initiative and lauded Governor Diri for his visionary investment in technology and innovation. In their individual remarks, the Chairman of APWEN, Engr. Dr. Mrs. Ann Obuebite, and Engr. Dr. Mac-Etelli commended His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, and the Honourable Commissioner, Engr. Munalayefa Edwin Gibson, for the laudable project. They further expressed their admiration for the level of work on ground, describing it as impressive and timely. Both engineers emphasized that ICT is the driving force of every modern sector and applauded the government’s commitment to technological development.
The students were encouraged to embrace ICT and consider careers in the field. They were advised to become computer literates, as digital skills now serve as a major advantage in today’s competitive job market. Their excitement and enthusiasm were visibly high throughout the visit.
The delegation also expressed their appreciation to the Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology for the opportunity to tour the facility and for its critical role in nurturing the next generation of ICT professionals in Bayelsa State.
