The
two-day networking and information-sharing event brought together non-profit
organisations from across the state to an interactive Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) capacity-building programme to enable
participants to learn more about Microsoft’s technologies and opportunities for
non-profit organisations.
Over
80 participants representing 42 NGOs from various part of the state attended
the forum, including those who came from several parts of the state such as Calabar
Municipality, Odukpani, Biase and Akampka.
Awawu Olumide-Sojinrin, Director Marketing and
Operations Microsoft Anglophone West Africa, disclosed that this
year, the Microsoft NGO Connection Day featured training sessions and technical
demonstrations of Microsoft products such as Microsoft Office 2013, Windows 8
and Windows phone.
“There
were also sessions on the Digital Literacy Standard Curriculum, Research Tools
and Report Publishing, Internet Safety and Security, Social Media Tools and
Website/Blog Development and Management,” Sojinrin who was there are the
opening ceremony.
The
director also noted that during the 2-day, participants had the opportunity to discuss
technology use in their work, learn more about relevant technology tools and
establish a faster online presence that helped make information regarding their
services available to a broader audience.
“As part of the Access Pillar of the 4Afrika
initiative launched in February this year, we know that access to technology
alone is not enough. That’s why we’re committed to supporting NGOs by
increasing access to IT services, solutions, and training to help them use
technology to expand their reach, improve their services, and accelerate their impact.”
The Governor, Cross Rivers, Senator Liyel Imoke who
was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Civil Society and NGO’s
Barrister Margaret Ebokpo commended Microsoft on her numerous achievements in
ensuring technology diffusion.
“Let me again commend the vision of the initiators of
this important programme- Microsoft and its partner, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria
and to restate our goodwill. We will continue to welcome
similar engagements that contribute to enhancing the progress and development
of our society as we strive to offer knowledge-based and accountable Governance
to our people” she said.
The Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative
Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, said the NGO
space is changing as everything else.
“Since
many
of these NGOs work in rural areas or with underserved groups that could benefit
by employing the use of cost-saving ICT tools, NGOs
need to be equipped with the applicable technologies required to make their
work relevant to and effective in the 21st century” he said.
The
high point of the event was the launch of Microsoft Internet Safety, Security
and Privacy Initiative for Nigeria (MISSPIN) documentary titled “Economic Cost
of Cybercrime in Nigeria” which is in commemoration of the World IT day.
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