Empowering cultural ambassadors with digital literacy will promote traditional heritage —Okebukola

Emeritus Professor Okebukola, the former Executive Secretary of National University Commission (NUC) has stressed the need for the government to take proactive measures to address the digital literacy gap and empower students with the needed skills to succeed in the digital era.

Okebukola disclosed this while addressing participants at a workshop organised for students in Abeokuta, Ogun State by the UNESCO Institute for African Culture and International Understanding (IACIU) at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL).

Speaking on the theme of the programme, “Cultural Fusion for Sustainable Development through ICTs: Exploring the Intersection of Traditional Heritage and Modern Innovation,” Okebukola, the director of the institute, emphasised the critical need to bridge the digital literacy gap among students.

The director said it is essential for students to possess IT skills to become effective cultural ambassadors in today’s digital age where technology plays a pivotal role in every aspect of society.

Okebukola also urged other educational institutions to proactively address the issue of digital divide by implementing measures to enhance students’ IT skills.

For him, empowering cultural ambassadors with digital literacy will not only equip them for the challenges of the modern world but also enable them to effectively preserve and promote their cultural heritage using innovative technological tools.

He said: “The fusion of traditional heritage with modern innovation opens up new avenues for preserving, promoting, and transmitting cultural knowledge and practices to future generations. Digital archives, virtual museums, and online repositories serve as dynamic platforms for safeguarding endangered languages.

“Moreover, the intersection of traditional heritage and modern innovation catalyses economic empowerment and inclusive development. By leveraging ICT to revitalise traditional industries, facilitate market access for artisans and craftsmen, we can unlock the economic potential inherent in our cultural heritage.”

Okebukola added: “Additionally, ICT-driven solutions hold the promise of enhancing education, healthcare, and governance in culturally diverse settings, thereby fostering social cohesion and sustainable development.”