Diocese of Nnewi Anglican Communion has set up the first Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics Hub in Nnewi, Anambra State, recorded as first of its kind established by a Church in Nigeria and perhaps in Africa.
In a ceremony to commission the Hub, Saturday at Bishop Uzodike Memorial Seminary, Bishop of the Diocese, Rt Revd Ndubisi Obi said the Church had taken a giant leap into the future with the establishment of the Hub.
He said about three years ago, the Church embarked on a journey that some thought was a bit ambitious and wild.
The Bishop disclosed that the Church started teaching their secondary school students about Robotics coding and AI.
“Yes, we went from Sunday sermons to coding classes, from prayer meeting to AI workshops. And you know what, our students loved it.
“But here is the thing, our students didn’t just want to learn, they wanted more. They wanted to dig deeper, explore further, and be more than just participants. They wanted to be creators, innovators, and leaders in the new technological world.
“And as their Bishop, I couldn’t just sit back and watch their enthusiasm fizzle out.
“We needed to find away to keep this momentum going, sustain their interest, and feed their curiosity.
“So, I asked myself what would be the most sustainable way to engage our students in this rapidly evolving world of technology?
“Do we have to build something that would serve our students, community, and future?
“This is when the idea of AI and Robotics Hub was born. We knew it was a massive project, but when has that stopped us? After all, isn’t it said that great things never come from comfort zone?
“So, we decided to get uncomfortable, roll up our sleeves, and build a lab that would not only sustain our students’ interest but also put our Diocese on the map as a leader in technology education, “the Bishop said.
He disclosed that the Diocese would not have found a better partner to manage the lab than EDUFUN Technik, experts in that field lead by Uchenna Onwuamegbu-Ugwu, a Harvard graduate.
“I told her ‘you’ve got the smarts, and we’ve got the spirit, together, we’ll make history’, “the Bishop added.
He noted that the Diocese was planting the seeds of innovation, believing that the seeds would grow into something truly extremely.
The Bishop said after using the Hub that he believed the students would be inspired to pursue careers in cutting-age fields including Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Data Science, Cybercrime Security, and IoT, among others.
He said some of them would become AI engineers, Robotics specialists, software developers, or tech entrepreneurs.
Onwuamegbu-Ugwu in response expressed delight to be part of success story to open the doors to the AI, Coding, and Robotics Hub, describing it as a place where the future begins.
She disclosed that the journey started ten years ago when she had a vision to bring technology, coding, and Robotics into the lives of students.
She said she started going from school to school, one diocese to another sharing the vision, urging them to adopt the programme to see the potential it held for the children’s future.
“I knocked on many doors, travelled to different places, spoke to different leaders without much result until 2021 when I finally met the Bishop of Diocese of Nnewi Anglican Communion, Rt Revd Ndubisi Obi and I was assured with certainty that once the Bishop hears about this, it’s a done deal.
“He will be the first Bishop in Nigeria to have a center like this, I have to admit.
“From the moment I and Bishop spoke I knew this was a turning point. His vision, his leadership, his unwavering commitment to the future of his students was nothing short of inspiring.
“He saw the potential of this programme and understood that it was not just about keeping up with the times, but about giving our children the tools they need to excel, to thrive, and to lead in this rapidly changing world.
“He wants the best for his children. We’re opening this Hub today as a testament to his leadership and his dedication to ensuring that his students are not left behind but are instead at the forefront of technological innovation, “she noted.
