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

Otti announced the automatic employment during the graduation ceremony of the Abia TechRise ICT training programme held at the JAAC Building Secretariat, Umuahia.

He directed the State Head of Service, Mr. Benson Ojeikere, to prepare the necessary documents for the 19 best-performing graduates for approval and ensure that they commence work on Monday, May 12th, 2025.

He said, “There are about 16 of you in those three groups. I also saw that three of you have received awards now, bringing the total to 19.

“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 will 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.”

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 to start business with the knowledge they have acquired.

The Governor expressed his administration’s commitment to empowering people with 21st-century, viable skills rather than giving people fish.

“Rather than giving you fish, we want to provide you with 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.”

He directed the Chief Strategy Officer to maintain a platform for the graduates to monitor their progress and provide further assistance, including matching them with technology institutions.

In his speech, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, described the training as a transformative initiative that empowered Abia youths with practical digital skills within three months.

“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.”

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of LearnFactory Nigeria, Engr. Chibueze Ukaegbu disclosed that the training focused on seven courses that align with the demands of the 21st-century digital age and highlighted its benefits.

In an interview, one of the graduates, Mr. Samuel Uchendu, thanked the Governor for providing the opportunity for them to be trained in ICT skills, adding that they were taught in various areas, including Digital Animation and Artificial Intelligence.

He disclosed that the knowledge gained from the 3-month training would enhance their productivity. (Sunday Vanguard)