By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Sen. Prof. Stephen Odey, Esq., has advocated the integration of emerging technologies into social welfare policy administration to address contemporary social challenges.
Odey made the call on Wednesday in Calabar while speaking at the 3rd Hybrid International Conference, organised by the Department of Social Work, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Calabar, themed ‘Social Welfare Policy Administration in the Era of Artificial Intelligence.’
The Education Commissioner stressed that Artificial Intelligence and other innovative technologies offer immense opportunities to improve efficiency, transparency and inclusivity in the delivery of social welfare services.
He urged participants to “contribute their best, share innovative ideas, and work collaboratively towards advancing social welfare policies through innovation and emerging technologies.”
He commended the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong and the university management for providing “a timely platform for intellectual engagement, knowledge sharing and the advancement of innovative solutions to contemporary social welfare challenges,” calling on stakeholders to sustain support for the conference.
In recognition of his outstanding academic achievements and invaluable contributions to the Department of Social Work and the education sector, bestowed an “Award of Excellence” on him by the department.
