Abia Governor Grants Automatic Employment to Top 19 Graduates of Digital Training Program
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has announced automatic employment for the 19 top-performing graduates of the digital training program organized by the Abia State Government, the 17 Local Government Mayors, and LearnFactory Nigeria.
Governor Otti made the announcement on Saturday, 10th May, during the graduation ceremony of the Abia TechRise ICT training program, held at the JAAC Building Secretariat in Umuahia.
The Governor instructed the State Head of Service, Mr. Benson Ojeikere, to prepare the necessary documents for the 19 outstanding graduates to receive approval and begin their employment on Monday, 12th May 2025. “There are 16 of you in the three groups, plus three awardees, bringing the total to 19. I direct the Head of Service, in collaboration with the Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation, as well as the Chief Information Officer, to ensure that these 19 graduates start work with the Abia Civil Service,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti also announced that a second batch of 850 trainees, with 50 participants from each of the 17 LGAs, will be selected for the next round of the ICT training. He urged the graduates to take ownership of the laptops provided to them for the training, encouraging them to use the skills acquired to start their own businesses.
Reaffirming his commitment to empowering the youth with valuable, practical skills, Governor Otti emphasized, “Rather than giving you fish, we want to equip you with the tools and training to catch fish yourselves. We want to empower you to take charge of your future and create jobs. Gone are the days of basic empowerment. Today, the focus is on using what you have to make a difference.”
The Governor also directed the Chief Strategy Officer to maintain a platform to track the graduates’ progress and offer further support, including connecting them with technology institutions. He stressed the importance of remaining relevant in the rapidly evolving digital world, saying, “The skills you have gained will make you competitive on a global scale. With this knowledge, you can work for major companies like Google, Microsoft, or anywhere else.”
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, praised the initiative as a transformative program that empowered Abia youth with practical digital skills. He described the training as a “movement” designed to unlock the potential of young people and prepare them for the 21st-century digital economy.
Engr. Chibueze Ukaegbu, CEO of LearnFactory Nigeria, shared that the training covered seven key courses aligned with the demands of the digital age, providing graduates with the skills needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced world.
During the ceremony, one of the graduates, Mr. Samuel Uchendu, expressed his gratitude to Governor Otti for the opportunity to be trained in ICT, mentioning areas such as Digital Animation and Artificial Intelligence. He emphasized that the training would significantly boost their productivity and future prospects.
The event, which was attended by senior government officials and the graduates, concluded with the presentation of certificates.
Ctz. UKOHA NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State
Government House, Umuahia
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