– Donates Laptops To 509 Tech Graduates
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has granted automatic employment to the 19 best performing graduates of the digital training programme organized by the Abia state government and the 17 Local Government councils in conjunction with LearnFactory Nigeria.
Governor Otti announced the automatic employment on Saturday May 10, during the graduation ceremony of the Abia TechRise ICT training programme held at JAAC Building Secretariat, Umuahia.
He directed the State Head of Service, Mr. Benson Ojeikere to prepare the necessary documents of the 19 best performing graduates for approval and ensure that they resume work on Monday, 12th May 2025.
“There are about 16 of you in those three groups. I also saw that there are three of you that received awards now. And that takes the number to 19.
I would like to instruct the Head of Service to work with the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation. And of course the Chief Information Officer to ensure that the 19 of you start work with the Abia Civil Service.”
“The effective resumption date is Monday, May 12, 2025. Head of service, please prepare your documentation, so that I would temporarily lift the ban on employment to employ them and close it back,” Gov. Otti instructed.
The governor directed that another set of 850 trainees, comprising 50 persons from each LGA of the State be taken for the second batch of the ICT training. He also instructed that the graduates take possession of the laptop computers bought for them for the training to enable them start business with the knowledge they have acquired.
This was contained in a release issued by by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering people with 21st century skills that will transform their lives rather than giving them stipends
“In line with what we said in our manifesto, rather than giving you fish, we want to give you all the necessary instruments and hands on deck training that will equip, empower and provide you with sustainable means of livelihood. We want you to create jobs for yourself and others. Gone are the days of keke empowerment. Today, the empowerment is to use what what God deposited in you. Nobody can write you off,” Gov. Otti asserted.
He instructed the Chief Strategy Officer to maintain a platform for the graduates so as to monitor their progress and further assist them, including matching them with technology institutions.
“Your knowledge must be relevant. What you have learnt has prepared you to compete in a world that is changing rapidly”.
Otti, thanked the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, other government officials, the LearnFactory Nigeria, that contributed to the success story, and also congratulated the graduates for their efforts.
In his speech, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu while highlighting the essence of the training, described it as a transformative initiative that has empowered Abia youths with practical digital skills within three months.
According to the Commissioner, the training has empowered the youths to become relevant in the digital world.
“We are proud to say that, Abia TechRise is not just a training programme, it is a movement, a platform for unlocking the latent potentials of our youths and positioning them for relevance in the 21st century digital economy,” Prince Nwachukwu stated.
Earlier, the Chief Executives Officer of LearnFactory Nigeria, Engr. Chibueze Ukaegbu disclosed that the training focused on seven various courses which are in line with the demands of the 21st century digital age and highlighted the benefits of the training.
In an interview, one of the graduands, Mr. Samuel Uchendu while appreciating Governor Alex Otti for providing such a platform and opportunity for them to be trained in ICT skills, said they were trained in various areas including Digital Animation, Artificial intelligence among others, stressing that the knowledge acquired from the 3 months training will enhance their potential.
