Over 500 Youths Graduate from Digital Skills Training in Enugu

ver 500 youths from Enugu North Senatorial District and beyond have graduated from various digital skills programmes aimed at positioning them to compete globally in the digital economy.

The youths were trained in ethical artificial intelligence skills, including AI applications, AI content development, robotics, and chatbot development.

Our Government House Correspondent Fred Nnaji completes the report

The 10-day training programme was organised by Igbo Eze South Local Government Area in collaboration with the UNESCO Country Office, Abuja, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka through its Directorate of International Collaboration and the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education.

Declaring the programme closed, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, described the training as a celebration of transformation through vision, capacity building, and inquisitive learning.

He commended the beneficiaries for their zeal and intellectual boldness, noting that their willingness to transition from traditional methods to the digital frontier would strengthen their confidence and prepare them for emerging global opportunities.

Professor Onyia also praised the exemplary leadership of the Chairman of Igbo Eze South Local Government Area, Hon. Ferdinand Ukwueze, describing him as a leading voice within the ALGON community whose vision aligns with Governor Mbah’s administration.

According to him, the digital skills acquired by the youths would enable them to compete favourably on the global stage without leaving Enugu State. He added that the governor’s visionary leadership has shifted the state from conventional learning models to technology-driven and globally competitive thinking.

In a remark, the Head of Office and representative of the UNESCO Country Office, Abuja, Dr Jean-Paul Abiaga, represented by Dr Nneka Okafor, said the initiative had gone beyond mere skills acquisition, and commended the Igbo Eze South Council Chairman for his commitment to equipping youths with relevant and sustainable digital skills.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Professor Simon Otuanya, represented by one of the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Professor Josaphat Onwumere, expressed gratitude to the organisers for choosing the university to host the programme.

Also, the Chairman of Igbo Eze South Local Government Area, Hon. Ferdinand Ukwueze noted that the platform provides young people with the opportunity to interact with the global community and compete effectively in the digital space even as he also highlighted several developmental strides achieved by his administration within a few months in office and urged the beneficiaries to represent the local government area and Enugu State positively in society.

Some outstanding participants were presented with laptops as encouragement for excellence while the wife of the governor Mrs Nkechinyere mbah through the wife of the chairman equally presented laptops to the physically challenged who participated in the programme.

Highlights of the event included the presentation of certificates to beneficiaries and a meritorious award to the Chairman of Igbo Eze South Local Government Area, Hon. Ukwueze in recognition of his commitment to youth development, particularly his investment in skill acquisition programmes aimed at empowering young people with relevant and sustainable skills.