In continuation of its effort to enlighten and groom students for careers in Information and Communication Technology, Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited organised a job fair in the University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to a statement made available to Financial Street on Friday, the students took active part in the ‘Campus Talk’ held at the International Conference Centre, Ibadan.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof Adebola Ekanola, stated that amid the Coronavirus Disease, Huawei has continued to make giant strides in the academic field.
“The students are not just trained in the national market, but the international. They have been equipped with soft skills to compete efficiently outside Nigeria,” Ekanola said.
According to him, UI is one of the best in Africa and has kept improving in its ranking. He promised that the institute would not disappoint Huawei in its efforts to bring the initiative to UI.
Ekanola urged the students to pay attention to optimise the benefit of the job fair.
Huawei Channel Training Manager, ICT Talent Ecosystem Development in Nigeria, Kenneth Igwe, said the event was where the Huawei Talent Ecosystem comes 360.
“Huawei has trained the students in career certification and, to crown it, has given them job opportunities.
“We expect the students to showcase themselves as people who are ready for the industry and go out there and leave their names in the sands of time,” Igwe said.
According to the Dean of Students Affairs, Prof Abiona Adekeye, the “corporation model” between Huawei and UI is a phenomenal opportunity for students to get exposed to ICT.
Urging the students to seize the opportunity to grow in ICT, Adekeye added, “Huawei has created the opportunity for the students to be employable in the competitive world.”
Huawei’s instructor and its Deputy Director, Training and Research, Information Technology and Media Services at UI, Mr Soyi Adisa, stated that the sustainability of the programme was the “catch-them-young” approach.
“Huawei has provided the university an opportunity to bridge the ICT gap in Nigeria, and has given the students an opportunity to compete with their counterparts around the world,” Adisa said.
The Head of Human Resources at Activedge Technologies Limited, a pan-African IT Solutions Provider, which partnered Huawei for the fair, Ms Chioma Okonkwo, said the goal of the partnership was to impact, train and give select students the opportunity to add value and leverage the technical skills acquired.
Technology Distribution African Limited’s representative, Moses Okolo, stated that the job fair afforded students an opportunity in cutting edge technology and in getting acquainted with the relevant technologies for the future.
The Team Cead, CloudExchange West Africa Limited, Samuel Ekudare, challenged the students to “change the narrative in technology [development] in Nigeria.
CloudExchange looks forward to leveraging Huawei’s platform to impact knowledge to more students and equip them with the necessary know-how on ICT, Ekudare added, urging the students to be willing to learn and be introduced into the vast world of technology.
On of the participants, Ayodele Oluwa, a 500 -Level student of Law, said, “I know the initiative is sustainable because Huawei is looking for opportunities to bridge the ICT gap in Nigeria with the focus on the youth, which is a brilliant idea.
Huawei’s vision in Nigeria is to create an ICT talent Ecosystem that will form the foundation in the digitalisation plan for the nearest future, the statement added.
“Huawei is resolute in visiting more universities across the country, which is part of the Huawei Authorised Information and Network Academy universities and related colleges (Huawei ICT Academy),” Igwe added.
