Abia state Governor Dr. Alex Otti has charged youths participating in the advanced digital skills programme of the government to seek competence and problem -solving skills to enable them excel in the 21st century economy.
Governor Otti stated this while flagging off the Techrise Cohort 3, a 3 month programme dedicated to empowering another set of 850 Abia youths with advanced digital skills held at Hotel De La Paix Aba.
The Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu charged them to utilise the opportunity to become entrepreneurs, innovators, and job creators and assured them that he is partnering tech hubs to provide post-workshop and post-mentorship programme for them.
“So do not just look for certificates. Seek deep competence and hands-on problem-solving skills.
“The digital marketing strategies you master here could scale a local business into a multi-national brand.
“Techrise is not just a training programme, but a strategic investment in the greatest assets of the state, which is, the youths.
“We live in an era where digital literacy is no longer an advantage, but a basic necessity for survival and success. The global economy is shifting rapidly towards automation, artificial intelligence, and global digital solutions.
“Our goal with Abia TechRise simple, yet audacious. We want to transform our youth from passive consumers of technology into active creators of digital value.
“We understand that training alone is not enough. Therefore, the administration has partnered with tech hubs and corporate organisations to provide post-workshop and post-mentorship, internship placements, and freelance opportunities,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti, who noted that in the next three months, the programme would run, the participants would be exposed to high demand skills, including software development, data analytics, digital marketing, artificial intelligence, cyber security, among others, urged the youths, to see the programme as a launch pad.
He commended the Ministries of Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Science, Technology, and Innovation, and Youth & Sports Development for their efforts in the project.
Speaking on behalf of the Local Government Mayors, the Mayor of Aba South LGA, Hon. Obialor Anyanwu thanked Governor Alex Otti for the opportunity granted to the youths of Abia to be trained in ICT.
Hon. Anyanwu noted that TechRise is a higher digital training programme of Governor Otti in partnership with the local governments in the state.
“The type of training is advanced digital training that empowers every TechRise to be self-employed. So you can as well be employed from home after TechRise.
“And we are grateful and will continue to commit to get TechRise to ensure that every youth in Abia is trained,” Hon. Anyanwu stated.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lady Oge Maduka, who disclosed that the theme of the programme is “AI FIRST”, described the programme as another bold step in the vision of Governor Otti’s commitment to prioritising youth empowerment.
Lady Maduka said that the cohort is designed not only to teach technology, but to shape thinkers, innovators , problem solvers , and future leaders.
She added that the participants would be exposed to practical industry -relevant learning in areas such as Artificial intelligence, Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Product Design, Software Development Data Engineering, Digital Innovation, and emerging technologies shaping the global economy.
According to her, Techrise is “a declaration that Abia youths must no longer stand at the edge of global innovation but must become active creators, leaders and drivers of the digital future,” Lady Maduka stated.
Contributing, the CEO of LearnFactory Nigeria and technical coordinator of TechRise project, Engineer Chibueze Ukaegbu said that the youths would be exposed to exceptional technical skills various areas of digital technologies that are in demand across the globe.
He thanked Governor Alex Otti for huge investments he is making in the lives of the young people in the state and advised the participants to make good use of the opportunity.
One of the participants, Miss Chiderea Favour Igwe, who spoke to the press, while thanking Governor Otti for his decision to empower them with digital skills, expressed the hope that they would be exposed to various digital skills that would help them improve in various aspects of tech.
She said that she was happy that they were selected to participate in the programme, “I want to say a very big thank you to our Governor for giving us this opportunity, because most of us don’t really have what to do, but he has broadened our mindset to see that there are things out there that we can use to make money for ourselves, and we are very grateful for it,” Miss Igwe stated.
The Commissioner Youth & Sports Development Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, Commissioner for Science, Technology & Innovations, Mr. David Kalu, Mayors from various LGAs among other dignitaries were present at the flag off ceremony.
