The first set of eighty beneficiaries of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training programme organized by the office of the Spokesman of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) for the youths of the Niger Delta region have graduated in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state capital.
The best twelve graduands were handed brand new computer systems while others will be handed their starter packs before the commencement of the second batch of the training programme in February 2023.
The initiator of the programme and spokesman of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, while speaking during the graduation ceremony on Friday in Yenagoa, said despite the challenges, the journey of intellectual exchange and training of Ijaw youths from Ijaw communities into Information and communications technology (ICT) scheme has yielded the desired result.
He pointed out that the training programme, which covered skills in Computer Appreciation, Office Production Tools and Internet Utility. Others are in Web Development (HTML, CSS & Bootstrap). The initiative of designed after the need to change the narrative of the struggle by the Ijaw nation, insisting that rather than adopting repeated combatant approach which has yielded little results, “there is the need for consistent efforts to build the capacity of youths and borrow a leaf from the consistent efforts of the present administration of Governor Douye Diri at using skill acquisition to draw away youths from crime and criminality to becoming positive force in the society”.
“I observed that in this digital age, the Ijaw youths and the people of the region should not be left behind and allow oil multinationals continue in their lame excuse of not employing Niger Delta youths due to poor ICT knowledge. I want to call on the oil multinationals, Federal Government agencies and Parastatals that the days of excuses and stereotype positions against Ijaw youths are over. The Ijaw youths of now are more educated and empowered to be gainfully employed in any sector of the economy. Some have even become employers of labour while others are ready to compete in the labour market”.
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Earlier, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douyi Diri commended the initiator of the computer training programme, declaring that the training and empowerment programmes by individuals, organisations and the State Government is yielding the desired result in the region by diverting agitated youths away from crime and criminality and focusing them on the part of development and peace.
Governor Diri, who was represented by the commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Patrick Erasmus also frowned at the attitude of some beneficiaries of government training who fail to put the knowledge acquired to use and even allegedly sell starter packs, charging beneficiaries of various training programmes not to toe the same line.
The Chairman of the occasion and President of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba in his speech noted that the only way the Ijaws can take their rightful place in the oil and gas sector was through acquiring the needed education and training.
Also speaking the Royal Father of the day and the Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo, commended the initiator of the programme and urged the beneficiaries to use the knowledge they have acquired to contribute meaningfully to the society.
Two beneficiaries, Miss Inikio Treasure and Franklin Ayaowei thanked the organisers of the training and promised to maximize the knowledge acquired to better their lives. They called on corporate organizations and individuals to support the skill acquisition training of youths in the region.
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