Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has approved automatic employment for 50 outstanding graduates of the TechRise Cohort 2 programme, offering them immediate placement across relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in the Abia State Civil Service.
The governor made the announcement on Saturday, December 20, during the graduation ceremony held at the JAAC Building Secretariat, where 849 young Abians were celebrated for completing a three month intensive training in cutting edge digital and technology driven skills.
Governor Otti explained that the automatic employment offer is subject to the beneficiaries presenting the required civil service documentation. Addressing the Head of Service at the event, he said the long standing embargo on employment had been temporarily lifted to accommodate the 50 graduates, noting that once the process is concluded, the embargo would be reinstated.
He disclosed that a total of 1,359 young people have successfully passed through the TechRise programme within the last year, describing them as a critical pool of manpower that would drive the state’s digital transformation agenda. According to him, the initiative was designed to build a skilled corps of IT solution providers capable of applying their knowledge to advance the collective development goals of Abia State.
Governor Otti said his administration is repositioning public service delivery to operate more efficiently through digital infrastructure, with the aim of reducing dependence on paper processes, offering round the clock services, and improving turnaround time across government offices.
He added that the state government is investing heavily in broadband expansion, revealing that the Umuahia dedicated internet access and wide area network project has been completed and is now fully operational across government establishments in the state capital.
The governor noted that the growth of Abia’s tech ecosystem reinforces his belief that leadership must inspire citizens to pursue and achieve their dreams. He cited the recent flag off of the Abia State DUCT Infrastructure Development Project in Aba as part of a broader plan to make every community in the state economically viable.
According to him, all government investments, whether in roads, education, sanitation, security, or technology, are tied to a central vision of making Abia a place where hard work is rewarded and opportunities are accessible to all.
In a further show of support, Governor Otti directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to ensure that transportation allowances were provided to enable each graduate return to their local government headquarters. He also approved a Christmas package of 50,000 naira for each of the 849 graduands, while those who won special prizes received an additional cash reward of 100,000 naira each.
The governor also led a minute of silence in honour of a TechRise trainee, Mr Princewill Ogbonnia, who died a few days before the ceremony, and expressed condolences to his family.
Earlier, Commissioners Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, Mr David Kalu, and Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, representing the Ministries of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Science, Technology and Innovation, and Youth and Sports Development respectively, praised Governor Otti for his consistent commitment to youth development in Abia State. They urged the graduates to continue building on the ICT skills acquired during the programme.
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The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lady Oge Maduka, described the TechRise training as transformative, noting that beyond technical skills, participants developed leadership qualities, discipline, and resilience through the three month programme.
The coordinator of the TechRise initiative and Chief Executive Officer of Learn Factory, Mr Chibueze Ukaegbu, thanked the governor for prioritising digital skills development and encouraged the graduates to put their knowledge to productive use.
Speaking on behalf of the graduands, Miss Chinwemeri Benjamin expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for the training, laptops, and financial support provided. She said the programme has equipped participants with skills that will promote economic independence and sustainable livelihoods.
The event, which drew senior state and local government officials, featured testimonials from Cohort 1 graduates, including Mr Charles Ikechukwu, who showcased an application designed to convert waste to wealth, and Mr Stephen Uche Onyegbulam, whose team developed an app to help stranded motorists locate nearby mechanics. The ceremony also included the presentation of certificates to the graduates.
