Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Government has completed training of 50 youths on entrepreneurship,information and Communication technology (ICT), and empowered them with starter packs, urging them to make use of the opportunity to launch themselves into the technological world.
The beneficiaries which were drawn across the state were trained under the state’s ministry of communications, science and technology in a three months intensive programme .
Speaking on Tuesday, during the passing out ceremony of the first phase of the trainees (Batch A) in Yenagoa, Governor Douye Diri urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity provided to become self-sufficient in business and entrepreneurship.
Governor Diri said there were lots of opportunities in the ICT world and urged the beneficiaries to maximize the potentials in the technological world.
He said “We are carrying out ICT training for youths, women, physically challenged and public servant periodically as a strategy of this government. We will continue to encourage them to explore the possibility to use technology to innovate, build businesses and creatively solve social problems.We don’t expect you to go into businesses that our fathers and mothers were doing in the same way and expect a different result, I hereby announce the commencement of the second batch of 150 youths.
“There’s something important about today, COVID 19 has made it possible for those who were analog to begin to think digitally, it came to a point where it difficult for people to travel, for student to learn except you are digital, and we all know the world is moving very fast to ICT.”
He advised the beneficiaries to maximise the positive aspect of the Internet and warned against using it for mischief or outright criminal purposes.
He prayed God to grant them wisdom to deplore the knowledge gathered to both their advantage, that of their families and the State in general.
Dr.Ekio Promise, the Commissioner for communication, Science and technology, while welcoming guests to the event, said the programme was designed to build a community of youths with the right skills to start their own businesses, become self-sufficient entrepreneurs to contribute to the development of Bayelsa in particular and the nation in general.
He recalled that, last year, Douye Diri , the State governor, graciously approved the commencement of the first batch of trainees of his strategic plan to make technology innovation the building block of a future stronger Bayelsa.
He urged the beneficiaries to see the empowerment as an opportunity to launch out to the ICT world.
“Let me seize this opportunity to thank
his Excellency for his resolve to complete all uncompleted projects started by the immediate administration Including the Centre of Excellence and Innovation.
“The centre of excellence for science, technology and innovation when completed will have a state of the art smart ICT to serve as a ralling point for all tech exercise and those desire training in ICT. It is our fervent hope that this project will be part of the
Projects to be commissioned during
his Excellency’s third year anniversary.
“As part of the Ministry plan to Increase awareness in STEM, that is Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and ICT. The Ministry will soon organized a STEM Expo for our Young innovators to compete thereby providing ICT and technology solutions to solve basic programmes.
“The ministry is also grateful to
his Excellency for the support and
encouragement to Interface with
Some Federal MDAs most of these
trips have started yielding benefits,
the National Space Research and Development Agency has accepted to collaborate with the State Government for support in space science and others technology advancement Programmes.
“we are also in touch with Nigeria
communication Commission, who
are currently working out details
With our Ministry for lntervention
In training and implementation of
the national broadband plan 2022
and Yenagoa Smart City concept,” he said.
He noted that a total of 50 youths have been trained and empowered through the ministry of communication, science and technology, adding that the state Governor has approved second phase of training about150 youths in ICT and entrepreneurship.
Areas of the training includes, Mobile application development, Mobile phone Repairs, Computer Networking, Computer hardware maintenance and website development
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ogoun Okoboere thanked Governor Douye Diri for the training and provision of starter packs and promise to make the state proud by making judicious use of what was given to them to become economically independent.
