Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has granted automatic employment to the 19 best performed graduands of the digital training programme organized by Abia State Government and the 17 Local Government Mayors in conjunction with LearnFactory Nigeria.

Governor Otti announced the automatic employment on Saturday, 10th May, 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 performed graduands for necessary approval and ensure that they commence 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.

“And, 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 start date is on Monday, 12th May. 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.

Governor Otti, who directed that another set of 850 trainees, representing 50 persons from each LGA of the State be taken for the second batch of the ICT training, further instructed that the graduands take all the laptop computers bought for them for the training to enable them start business with the knowledge they have acquired.

The Governor reiterated his government commitment to empowering people with 21st century viable skills rather than giving people fish.

“Rather than giving you fish, which is what we have said in our manifesto, we want to give you all the necessary instruments and the training so that you can catch fish yourself. We want to empower you so that you can look after yourself.

“We want you to create jobs for yourself. Gone are the days of keke empowerment. Today, the empowerment is to use what you have. What God has deposited in you. There is nobody that you can write off,” Gov. Otti asserted.

He instructed the Chief Strategy Officer to maintain a platform for the graduands so as to monitor their progress and give further assistance to them, including matching them with technology institutions. He also emphasized on the need and benefits of tech knowledge.

“Your knowledge must be irrelevant. What you have learned must prepare you to compete in a world that is changing by the minutes.

“The skills that you have acquired today can take you to places, because that is what the world is saying today.

“And you can sit here and work for Google, Microsoft, anywhere. So, you are not limited to this space, because of the knowledge that you have acquired, “Gov. Otti stated.

While thanking the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and all other government officials as well as the LearnFactory Nigeria, who contributed to the success story, Governor Otti congratulated the graduands and said that he is proud of them.

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 empowered Abia youths with practical digital skills just within three months.

According to the Commissioner, the training empowered the youths to become relevant in the digital world.

“We are proud to say that, Abia TechRise is not just a training programmes, 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 that they were trained in various areas including Digital Animation, Artificial intelligence among others, admitting that the knowledge gotten from the 3 months training would enhance their productivity.

The event was well attended by senior Government appointees and the entire graduands who were issued with certificates.

Ctz. UKOHA NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
Government House, Umuahia