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Abia Govt Graduates 100 Fellows In Maiden ThriveAbia Tech Programme
Abia Govt Graduates 100 Fellows In Maiden ThriveAbia Tech Programme
Abia State Government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, on Saturday, graduated 100 fellows from the Maiden Cohort of the ThriveAbia initiative.
The ThriveAbia initiative, a tech skill acquisition programme is designed to equip young people with digital skills for employment, entrepreneurship and emerging opportunities in the technology sector.
The programme provided training in various technology fields, including User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) design, Data Analytics, Coding, DevOps, Cybersecurity, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) automation, among others.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, Governor Otti described the graduates as potential innovators, entrepreneurs, problem-solvers and ambassadors of a new Abia.
Governor Otti, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Meribole, said the initiative reflects his administration’s commitment to investing in human capital as a foundation for sustainable development.
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The Governor challenged the graduates to share their newly acquired knowledge with other young people, urging them to become multipliers of opportunities in their communities.
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He further urged the graduates to translate their training into practical outcomes by creating opportunities, developing innovative solutions and contributing to the state’s economic development.
Governor Otti stressed that the impact of the programme should be felt across all 17 local government areas of the state.
“The knowledge you have acquired must not end with you. Each of you must become a multiplier of opportunities.
“Imagine if each of you trains or mentors just 10 other young people, that would mean 1,000 additional young people empowered through this maiden cohort alone. And if these 1,000 empower others, the possibility becomes enormous”, Governor Otti said.
The Governor said his administration viewed investment in human capital not as an expenditure but as an investment in Abia’s future prosperity.
He added that his adminstration’s vision was to make Abia a place where youths could build successful careers without having to leave the state in search of opportunities.
“Today, a software engineer in Umuahia can work for a company in London or in the US. A graphic designer in Aba can serve clients in New York. A digital entrepreneur in Ohafia can provide solutions across Africa.
“Technology has made the world a global village, a global marketplace, and Abia must take its rightful place in that marketplace.
“My message is simple: stay, build, innovate and thrive”, Governor Otti said.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr David Kalu, said the ThriveAbia initiative was designed to go beyond conventional training by equipping participants with practical skills, mentorship and the professional competencies required to succeed in the workplace.
Kalu said the programme prioritised talent development and measurable outcomes, disclosing that the ministry had initiated a pilot internship programme with a global cybersecurity and technology company to create pathways for beneficiaries to gain practical work experience and access employment opportunities.
The commissioner urged the pioneer graduates to embrace the programme’s train-the-trainer model by sharing their knowledge, mentoring other young people and helping subsequent participants develop their skills.
He stressed that the success of future cohorts would depend partly on the commitment of the first graduates to multiplying the knowledge they had acquired and assured that the ministry would continue to strengthen initiatives that connect young people with meaningful economic opportunities.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development, Comrade Onyebuchi Chukwu, in his remarks said that the ThriveAbia is part of the state government’s efforts to build the capacity of young people and prepare them for a technology-driven economy.
He noted that other initiatives introduced by the Otti led administration include TechRise initiative which provides digital and technology training to young people to improve their employability and entrepreneurial prospects, and the Abia Leadership Academy, which focuses on developing leadership skills, civic responsibility and the capacity of young people to contribute to governance and community development.
Also, one of the implementation partners and co-founder of Tech Excentric and Curate, Mr Gilbert Igwe, said the initiative was designed to empower young people with technology skills and encourage them to train others, disclosing that more than 50 per cent of the graduates were already earning in foreign currencies through employment.
Some of the beneficiaries, including a Pharmacy graduate,Bright Ijioma, a Biochemist, Okwu Emeka and Okwara Elizabeth, thanked Governor Otti for the opportunity, noting that the training and mentorship has equipped them with technological tools to improve their work and opened pathways to remote job opportunities.
They urged the state government to sustain the initiative to enable more young people to benefit.
The event which featured presentation of certificates to the graduands, was attended by top government officials including, the Principal Secretary and Chief Strategy Officer of the State, Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Justin Ebo among others.
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