By Bassey Inyang
Samsung Electronics West Africa has established its Digital Village in Oban Community in Akampka Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The management of Samsung said they achieved the feat by working in collaboration with the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
At the launching of the Digital Village Thursday, the Managing Director of Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim, said the facility is expected to provide access to the world’s most advanced information and communication technologies, education and health services to under-resourced areas, bridging the digital divide and serving as a catalyst for local business development and government service delivery.
Kim said, “a sizeable proportion of rural areas across the continent do not have electricity, resulting in isolated communities with limited access to education, health care and connectivity, which are necessary components of socio-economic development.
“We are not only bridging the digital divide but also providing a facility that meets the most critical health and education needs of the rural community.”
He announced that the Samsung Digital Village is composed of a solar powered Internet school for students, built to accommodate up to 24 learners; a solar powered tele-medical center and a solar power generator that powers up the Admin Center which can be used as office with limited electricity supply.
“In addition to providing the appropriate technologies, Samsung is also working to ensure that the people of the Oban Community take ownership of the digital village and receive adequate training to optimize use of facilities.
“Samsung believes that technology is a powerful tool to change these circumstances, improve and create a better society,” Kim said.
In his address, the state governor, Liyel Imoke, who was represented by his Special Adviser on International Donor Support, Mr. Roy Ndoma-Egba, said the state is committed to the project which cost over N160 million to establish.
Imoke expressed gratitude to Samsung for establishing the Digital Village, which he noted is the first in West Africa.
Also speaking, permanent secretary of the state Ministry of Health, Edem I. Edem, promised that the project would be sustained.
Edem said the Digital Village would serve as a platform to take off in terms of tele-medicine. He urged medical practitioners to key in to the project in the interest of people in the rural areas.
Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Education, Mrs. Ann Odey said the ministry remains grateful to Samsung for establishing the project, saying the project would be put to proper and effective use.