Photo:Archive/Radio Nigeria
The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma has flagged- off the second edition of the Imo SKILL-UP digital training programme, Cohort 2 for 15,000 Imo youths.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to laying a solid foundation for youths to deploy their acquired digital skills anywhere they go and excel accordingly.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachuku indicated that the Governor launched the programme in Owerri where he emphasised that the welfare of youths is central to the prosperity agenda of his government.
He said the success recorded with the first edition, Cohort 1, had come to the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari, multinational companies among others.
He said that 5000 youths were trained and graduated in Cohort 1, empowered with laptops and other start-up kits based on their chosen areas of specialization.
“Today we are flagging off 15,000 young men and women with plans at top gear to ensure that we shall achieve before the end of this year, 100,000 milestone within our implementation programme. To this end, l have directed the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government to explore necessary collaborations considered expedient to ensure increased access to SKILL-UP Imo programme for all Imo State residents and citizens.
“On graduation, not only will we give you start up kits but also Professional Certificates that will be recognised anywhere in the world”, the Governor pointed out.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi said the objective of the training programme is to train 300,000 youths in the space of three years, graduating 100,000 each year.
He also said apart from the five learning centres in use, five more have been added to increase access to the training programme as directed by Governor Uzodimma.
Writing by Annabel Nwachukwu