Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Microsoft and Wootlab Foundation on training of 20,000 youths on digital skills.

The MOU signing ceremony was performed at Professor Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Center in Awka, the state capital.

There was also an official launch of the Solution Innovation District, SID of Anambra State Government.

SID is set up to build, activate and scale innovation in Anambra State, for technology startups, digital skills training, creation of co-working space, business incubation, raising Anambra digital tribe, innovation support, among others.

The initiative is targeted at training 10,000 youths annually on relevant ICT skills.

Speaking on “Anambra Digital Tribe: Activating A New Economy through the Solution Agenda,” Governor Soludo stressed that knowledge and skills are enduring forms of power.

He pointed out that the power of knowledge and skills transcends space and time and is not constrained by any boundaries because it follows an individual anywhere he or she goes.

“The demand for knowledge and skills is global. The certificate you possess doesn’t really matter to the world. They are more interested in your mental capacity and your manual dexterity. This is the game-changing moment” Governor Soludo further pointed out that,

“The desire to succeed and the desire to add value are the first requirements for success. Your knowledge and abilities will support you in achieving this.

“Being a Governor or President is temporary power, and after your tenure, the world continues. However, when you have knowledge and skills, you have power that lasts a lifetime.

“Those who seek knowledge and skills have a place in the future. We are continuing today with our plan to retake control of our state and put it back on the right course”, he emphasised.

He added that “the 0.01% of our population who are criminals cannot define who we are. This is message we sending to them. The 99% of Anambra people are renowned for their entrepreneurship, diligence, fortitude, and inventiveness. This administration is determined to transform the state from informal economy to formal economy through skills acquisition”, Soludo concluded.

Also Speaking, the State Commissioner for Youth, Mr. Patrick Mba, recalled that the “One youth, two skills” initiative was launched by the Governor in October and noted that the world was fast going digital and expressed gladness that Anambra is not left behind.

The Commissioner called on residents of the state to take advantage of the opportunity as the goal was to redefine youth development beyond immediate consumption with job creation as the destination.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation, Ms. Chinwe Okoli, said that the programme was to officially begin the journey on innovation, to unleash the creativity and ingenuity of the people of Anambra and to enthrone a livable and prosperous smart megacity in line with the Governor’s vision.

Miss Okoli stressed that for innovation to thrive, there was need to build a community of stakeholders in Information Communication Technology.

He said the initiative was being introduced because Anambra was densely populated by youths.

The Representative of the Microsoft Country Manager for Nigeria and Ghana, Olatomiwa Williams the Chief Executive Officer of Wootlab Foundation, Chioma Okoro both described the initiative as a move in the right direction asserting that the fourth industrial revolution has already begun.

Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, members of the State Executive Council, Transition Committee Chairmen, Traditional Rulers among others attended the event. (Voice of Nigeria)

Update news