Otti Lifts Employment Ban, Orders Immediate Recruitment of 19 TechRise Graduates

…Unveils Special ICT Salary Cadre

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has lifted the ban on civil service employment for 19 outstanding graduates of the state’s TechRise ICT skills development programme and directed their immediate recruitment into the state civil service.

Governor Otti gave the directive on Friday at the graduation ceremony of the third cohort (3.0) of the TechRise programme, where 850 young Abians completed a three-month intensive training in information and communication technology (ICT).

The governor said the decision was part of his administration’s strategy to retain the best talents produced by the programme and deploy their skills to improve public service delivery.

“I’m hereby lifting the ban on civil service employment and directing the Head of Service to immediately and automatically recruit the 19 of you.

“So by the time that is done, the ban would now continue.

“A central part of our value multiplication outlook is to retain the best hands from each cohort of the program and have them contribute directly in improving social service delivery through the institutions of government”, he said

Governor Otti further directed the Head of Service to work with the Chief Information Officer and other relevant government officials to identify ICT competency gaps across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), which could be filled by qualified graduates of the TechRise programme.

The Governor also directed that a special salary cadre be put in place for ICT professionals in the civil service, subject to applicable conditions.

He announced that the 850 laptops used by the graduates during the training had been transferred to them as personal property, pointing out that the gesture was intended to support their continued learning and professional development.

Governor Otti who also announced a cash gift of N100,000 for each of the 850 graduates, reminded them that the more valuable benefit was the knowledge and skills acquired through the programme.

“The most encouraging development from today’s graduation ceremony is the introduction of hundreds of new job-ready professionals into our economy”, he said.

Governor Otti disclosed that 2,210 people had now completed the TechRise ICT skills development programme since its commencement and described the latest graduation as another milestone in the state’s efforts to prepare young people for the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The Governor while congratulating the 850 graduates, challenged them to convert their newly acquired skills into viable businesses and innovations and warned them against using their knowledge for criminal purposes.

He commended the graduates who developed a functional drone and directed the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to work with the team to explore ways of moving the innovation from concept to commercial viability.

Governor Otti further disclosed plans to establish an international-standard ICT examination and certification centres in Abia that would enable residents to obtain professional certifications required for career advancement without having to travel outside the state.

In his address earlier, the Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sir Uzor Nwachukwu said the Otti administration, in partnership with the 17 local government areas, has equipped 2,210 youths through three cohorts of the fully funded three-month TechRise programme, describing the beneficiaries as architects of the digital future.

Contributing, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lady Oge Maduka, said the three-month TechRise programme has equipped the gradutes not only with practical ICT skills but also with discipline, teamwork, responsibility and leadership qualities needed to thrive in the digital economy.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer LearnFactory and TechRise Coordinator Mr Chibueze Ukaegbu,
disclosed that the programme has also trained 2,500 civil servants in computer skills, with plans to increase the number to 5,000.

Ukaegbu, said the Learn Factory also plans to introduce coding programmes for primary and secondary school pupils across the state.

He listed courses taught during the TechRise Programme to include, Creative Arts, Cyber Security, Fullstack ,AI Animation, Product management, Computer Design and manufacturing and Enterprise Fanthom.

Speaking on behalf of the Graduands Victor Onuoha thanked Governor Otti for empowering them with the program, noting that the program has empowered them to face the future with courage she appealed to the Governor to extend the program to others who were not accommodated in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Cohorts.

The ceremony held at the JAAC secretariat featured the presentation of Certifates to overall best participants representing the 7 Courses.

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