Otti Reaffirms Commitment to Youth Empowerment, Describes Digital Skills as “Passports of the Future”  

_Governor highlights TechRise, Leadership Academy as Abia trains young people on free vocational, digital skills_

UMUAHIA, Abia State – The Abia State Government has reiterated its commitment to training and building future leaders from among Abia young people through skills acquisition and leadership development programmes.

Governor Alex Otti gave the assurance on Tuesday, while addressing participants of a two-week free vocational and digital skills training programme organised by the Rotary Club of Umuahia Central and Great Impact Foundation in Umuahia.

The Governor, represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, urged the participants to take the training seriously, describing digital skills as the “passports of the future.”

Otti said digital skills are critical to succeeding in the modern economy as they enable young people to work for organisations across the world without leaving the country.

“This government is committed to making sure that we train future leaders that will take this state, Abia, including Nigeria, to greater heights, because it all starts from the foundation,” he stated.

“I want to encourage participants, young people here, to take this training seriously. Especially when it has to do with the digital skills. Digital skills are skills of the future.

“I can tell you, what they will give you here is what we call the passport of the future. Or you call it global passports. Which, at the end of the day, will transform young people.”

The Governor highlighted some youth-focused initiatives of his administration, including the Abia TechRise Initiative, which provides digital skills training for young people aged 18 and above.

He also pointed to the Abia Leadership Academy, currently ongoing at Government College, Umuahia, which is designed to inculcate ethical values and leadership skills in young people aged 16 and above.

He enjoined the organisers to ensure follow-up with participants for enrollment in subsequent cohorts and appreciated them for training young people at no cost.

The President of Rotary Club of Umuahia Central, Rtn. Ndukwe Ihejiako, said the initiative was aimed at introducing young people to digital skills early enough to enable them to become useful and productive members of society.

“The fact that you are not paying from your pocket does not mean that other people did not pay for it. We are advising you to focus, learn and be useful to yourselves and society at large,” Ihejiako stated.

Also speaking, the Founder and Director of Great Impact Foundation, Mr. Chukwuebuka Great Okpara, said the programme was conceived to engage young people positively and equip them with skills that could make them self-reliant.

He disclosed that the training covers photography, videography, artificial intelligence, web design, graphic design, baking and confectionery, among other areas.

Okpara expressed optimism that the programme would help nurture a generation of digitally skilled, entrepreneurial and responsible young people capable of contributing meaningfully to the development of their families, communities and the state.