Platform Petroleum Unveils ICT Hub to Power Digital Future in Rivers State
In a significant move to enhance digital infrastructure and empower youths in the Niger Delta region, Platform Petroleum Limited has officially commissioned the O.B. Lulu-Briggs ICT Centre for Digital Innovations. This landmark facility is located in Obonoma, within the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, and was inaugurated on April 8, 2026, by John Onaiyekan.
State-of-the-Art Digital Facility
The centre is equipped with over 280 networked computers, positioning it as a major hub for computer-based testing (CBT) and digital learning initiatives. It is designed to serve residents from Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru, and Degema local government areas, significantly reducing the need for candidates to travel to urban centres like Port Harcourt for examinations and digital services.
Strategic Response to Global Digital Demands
Chairman of Platform Petroleum, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, who spearheaded this initiative, emphasized that the project was conceived as a strategic response to the growing demand for digital skills in a rapidly evolving global economy. Describing the centre as a "gateway to opportunity," Lulu-Briggs highlighted the importance of equipping young people to actively participate in a world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence, automation, and technology.
"Today, we are not just commissioning a building; we are opening a gateway that connects this community to the world," he stated during the inauguration ceremony.
Honoring Legacy and Fostering Growth
The ICT centre is named in honour of his father, Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs, and forms a key part of Platform Petroleum's corporate social responsibility efforts. These efforts are aimed at fostering innovation, education, and economic growth in host communities. Beyond its CBT capabilities, the facility includes multiple sections dedicated to training, collaboration, and enterprise development, along with residential lodges and support spaces to enhance learning and engagement.
Community Engagement and Sustainability
Dignitaries present at the event included the Vice Chairman of Platform Petroleum, Ojunekwu Augustine Avuru; the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, John Anim; as well as religious leaders, traditional rulers, community stakeholders, and youth representatives. Stakeholders commended the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that will bridge the digital divide and unlock opportunities for thousands of young people across the region.
Lulu-Briggs, however, charged the benefiting communities to take ownership of the centre to ensure its long-term sustainability. "This is your gift, but also your responsibility. Use it, protect it, and let it become a place where a new generation rises, equipped and ready," he urged.
Forward-Looking Investment for Rivers State
The O.B. Lulu-Briggs ICT Centre is widely seen as a forward-looking investment capable of transforming access to digital education. It is expected to position Rivers State as an emerging hub for innovation and technological development, contributing to broader economic and social advancements in the Niger Delta.
