No fewer than 5,000 citizens of Imo State have benefitted from Skill Up Imo Project.
Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi gave the hint, Wednesday, during the first graduation ceremony of Skill-Up Imo Project.
The Commissioner disclosed that the Skill-up Imo project is a subset of the Imo digital economy agenda, which aims to make Imo the digital skills hub of Africa and also to arrest youth unemployment while promoting adoption of technology to stimulate socio economic development of the state.
He noted that through the programme, 300,000 Imo youths will be trained in a space of three years, explaining that the training would help them acquire 4th industrial revolution skill-set required to thrive in a modern society.
The commissioner informed that Imo is the first state in Nigeria that has implemented such programme in support of the policy and efforts of the federal government to provide employment opportunities across the country.
He announced that all the promises made by the State Governor during the flag off of the programme were met, adding that trainees were given free lunch daily and stipend for transportation.
He equally announced that trainees were also trained to develop digital solutions to every day challenges and winners smiled home with prices.
Dr. Amadi boasted that the project has started yielding desired results.
He revealed that 5,000 persons selected from all parts of Imo state with little or no experience in information communication technology were successfully trained in digital marketing, web and application development, content creation, basic data analysis, graphic design, phone and digital devices repairs, programming, cyber security among others and announced that they would receive starter packs, laptops and cash.
He appreciated the Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, Hon. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, describing him as the father of Nigeria’s digital economy.
The Commissioner added that it was Pantami’s idea and vision that spurred the development of a tech-driven economy in Nigeria which contributed 20.32% to Nigeria’s GDP in ¾ of 2022, highest in five years.
Commissioner Amadi commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for his vision and said the project would make great impact on the beneficiaries.
He urged the graduands to be worthy ambassadors of the programme by fully utilizing their newly acquired skills to better themselves and the society.
The occasion was well attended by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, his deputy, Prof Placid Njoku, Minister for Communications and Digital Economy – Hon Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, former EFFC Boss, Nuhu Ribadu, VC FUTO – Prof Nnenna Otti and other top government functionaries.