Abia State Governor, Alex Otti,has granted automatic employment to the 19 best performed graduands of the digital training programme organized by the state government and the 17 local government chairmen in conjunction with LearnFactory Nigeria.
Gov. Otti announced the automatic employment at the weekend, during the graduation ceremony of the Abia TechRise ICT training programme held at JAAC Building Secretariat, Umuahia.
He directed the state Head of Service, Mr. Benson Ojeikere to prepare the necessary documents of the 19 best performing graduands for necessary approval and to ensure that they commence work on Monday, May 12, 2025.
“There are about 16 of you in those three groups. I also saw that there are three of you that received awards now. And that takes the number to 19.
“And, 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 to 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,” Gov. Otti instructed.
The governor thereafter directed that another set of 850 trainees, representing 50 persons from each local government area of the state be taken for the second batch of the ICT training.
He further instructed that the graduands take ownership of the laptop computers bought for them for the training to enable them start their businesses with the knowledge they have acquired.
The governor reiterated his government’s commitment to empowering people with 21st century viable skills rather than giving people fish.
This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha and made available to journalists in Umuahia.
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“Rather than giving you fish, which is what we have said in our manifesto, we want to give you 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,” Gov. Otti asserted.
Earlier, the Chief Executives Officer of LearnFactory Nigeria, Chibueze Ukaegbu, disclosed that the training focused on seven various courses which are in line with the demands of the 21st century digital age.
In an interview, one of the graduands, Mr. Samuel Uchendu appreciated Gov. Otti for providing such a platform and opportunity for them to be trained in ICT skills.
He said that they were trained in various areas, including digital animation, Artificial Intelligence among others, admitting that the knowledge gotten from the three months training would enhance their productivity.