Gov. Obi to empower 10,000 youths on ICT

Estimated 10,000 youths from Anambra State will benefit from an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) empowerment initiative by the Governor Peter Obi in collaboration with the New Horizons and Microsoft Nigeria.

This follows the signing of a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the state by the trio will see to about 10, 000 Secondary School Students of Anambra State plus 1, 500 civil servants getting empowered with one laptop each and relevant ICT skills in Microsoft courses.

The initiative, which comes in phases is expected to take off officially in November, where 6, 500 participants will benefit.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Awka, Governor Peter Obi said ICT is the future of this country.

“Therefore, our people in Anambra State should be at the vanguard of the ICT revolution in Nigeria,” he said.

Obi also said that the greatest legacy any government could bestow to the incoming generation is qualitative education driven by ICT.

Speaking on the significance of an IT literate society, Developer Platform Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Ken Spann, noted that education is a powerful and positive force for growth and development in every society.

“Microsoft believes that education drives forward the goals and aspirations of nations, industries and individuals, and is committed to create partnerships with students, educators, institutions and governments to help them achieve their educational goals and contribute to the development of the country and their industries,” Mr. Spann said.

The managing director, New Horizons, Mr. Tim Akano, said that with this partnership Anambra State under Governor Peter Obi has become the first to produce 100 Microsoft Academies.

He explained that the state is first to begin the process of allocation of one-laptop per child initiative.

“Thirdly, his administration is first to also give one-laptop per civil servant as against what obtains in other states where civil servants cannot have access to computer after working hours,” he said, stressing that Civil Servants in Anambra state can take the laptop home as this will increase their proficiency in ICT skills.

Gov. Peter Obi’s initiative, he said, is keeping to the tradition of excellence which he epitomises.

“The Peter Obi Initiative will go a long way to consolidate the intellectual achievement of old generations of Anambra State indigenes, a state that has produced great sons and daughters like the world’s renowned Poet and Writer – Albert Chinualumogu Achebe from Ogidi, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie from Abba and most significantly, Dr. Phillip Emeagwali, who according to Black Inventor’s website is called “Africa’s Bill Gates, and the biggest African Scientist of all time.”

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