The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami has urged educational institutions in the country to pay more emphasis on rousing the creativity and innovative capacity of students rather than the acquisition of certificates.

Dr Pantami made the call at the grand finale of the Katsina National Talent Hunt exhibition held in Katsina.

The Minister observed that in the era of the 21st Century, the global economy has been on a fast transition to a knowledge-based system as the old order is gradually being phased out.

He added that the evolution of Artificial Intelligence has presented a new challenge to Nigeria’s educational institutions to adapt to global best practices in ICT-oriented curriculum, in line with trends of the digital age.

In his speech, the Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, said the State Government came up with the idea of organising the talent hunt competition to identify and encourage young talents in various fields.

Governor Masari said a total of 250 youths exhibited their innovations at the competition, with 13 participants receiving recognition in addition to various prizes.

The Governor promised that the Katsina Talent Hunt Challenge will be an annual competition, and called on people with various talents in ICT, auto and automotive design, fine arts and other sundry talents to join subsequent contests in order to showcase their talents.

Abdulhakeem Bashir emerged as the overall winner and got the star prize of an SUV and a N2 million cheque for developing a CCTV camera application.

The secondplace winner received a cash prize of N5 million, the third place winner got N3 million, while the fourth got a cheque of N1.5 million.

One-hundred other contestants were rewarded with a consolation prize of N100,000 each.

The event was attended by a cross-section of dignitaries, including Federal and State lawmakers, representatives of state governments, the Director-General of the National Automotive Development and Design Council, Jelani Aliyu and the DG FRCN, Dr Mansur Liman.