Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has announced automatic employment for the top 19 graduates of the state’s digital training program, a collaborative effort between the state government, the 17 local government areas (LGAs), and LearnFactory Nigeria. The announcement was made during the Abia TechRise ICT training graduation ceremony at the JAAC Building Secretariat in Umuahia.
Governor Otti directed the State Head of Service, Mr. Benson Ojeikere, to prepare the necessary documents to employ the 19 outstanding graduates, with a start date set for Monday, May 12, 2025. The Governor emphasized the significance of empowering individuals with relevant skills, urging that the graduates use their newly acquired digital knowledge to create opportunities for themselves. “Instead of giving you fish, we are providing the tools and training for you to catch fish on your own,” Otti said.
Additionally, he announced the launch of the second training batch, targeting 850 new participants, with 50 representatives from each of the state’s LGAs. These individuals will undergo a similar ICT training to boost their digital capabilities.
Governor Otti also provided the graduates with laptops to enhance their ability to start businesses or pursue other digital ventures. As part of his commitment to nurturing these skills, he instructed the Chief Strategy Officer to create a platform for the graduates to continue their professional development and connect them with technology institutions.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, praised the initiative, describing Abia TechRise as a movement that equips youths with essential skills for the modern digital economy: LearnFactory Nigeria’s CEO, Engr. Chibueze Ukaegbu highlighted that the program covered seven crucial courses aligned with the demands of the digital age.
One of the graduates, Mr. Samuel Uchendu, expressed gratitude to the Governor, stating that the three-month training in Digital Animation and Artificial Intelligence had greatly enhanced their productivity and prospects.
