Experts task youths on responsible use of technology as tool to enhance skills

Industry professionals have tasked Nigerian youths with responsible use of technology as a tool for skill enhancement towards contributing to the nation’s sustainable development.

Though technology comes with many benefits, youths must use it responsibly because it also has its dark sides, they say, at the International Youth Day programme in Lagos, organised by Youth Orientation for Development, a UNESCO non-governmental organisation in collaboration with Centre for Digital Humanities, University of Lagos.

Describing youths as change agents, innovators and leaders, they say, that youths must also understand that technology as a great blessing also requires responsibility to avoid being affected by the dark side.

“Technology is a very powerful tool for transformation, but youths must also understand that it comes with its challenges,” said Oludare Akinlaja, chief executive officer of QAR&D Group.

According to him, young people must understand that to rebuild the nation, they must pay attention to the educational benefits derived from using technology.

Akinlaja said that only the effective use of technology as an enabler and for proper education is required to address the issue of the digital divide in Nigeria.

Speaking on the theme ‘From Clicks to Progress: Youth Pathway for Sustainable Development,’ Akinlaja said young people are positioned to use their digital prowess to tackle the challenges in their environment.

He urged the youths to be lovers of knowledge and information as this will help them build skills and become a better version of themselves.

“Young people need to imagine a situation where they all have the power to contribute to the development of the society and a world where technology is not just a tool for entertainment, but a powerful force for good,” he said.

He urged Nigerian youths to play an effective role in the country’s sustainable development.

Also speaking, Euriel Momah, director of programmes for the Youth Orientation for Development, said the UNESCO non-governmental organisation is committed to driving UNESCO programmes and ideas among young people in Nigeria.

He said the theme of the programme was designed to help shape the world views of the youth regarding the use of digital tools and to effectively harness the possibilities of these tools in building their future.

Momah lauded the Center for Digital Humanities, University of Lagos for collaborating with the organisation in promoting effective use of technology among the students.

Tunde Ope-Davies, director of the Center of Digital Humanities, said the concept of digital humanities is the application of technology and computer science or computer methodology in the humanities research scholarship among other things.

He said it is important for stakeholders in the knowledge industry and youth ministry to intensify their advocacy and education for the proper use of technology to positively impact the lives of young people.

According to him, the advancement in technology and the absence of effective monitoring by relevant stakeholders have led to the abuse of the tool.

He said young people are abusing technology, rather than using same to enhance their skills.

“Technology for sustainable development is the right step to go, you need to understand that better use of technology and education can help our youths to become leaders and contribute to the country’s development,” he said.