Ajegunle.org graduates students

Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN), recently held its 2011 Ajegunle.org ICT skills training graduation and Town Hall Meeting in Lagos, reports CHARLES OKOH.

The project which is a brainchild of PIN, is a social enterprise designed to improve the lives of young Nigerians living in underserved areas through ICT skills training and development, entrepreneurship training and industrial short-term internships.

It also offers train-the-trainer capacity building that enables participants coach others.

This is year’s Town Hall Meeting was chaired by Prof. Pat Utomi, chairman of the board of Paradigm Initiative Nigeria.

With support from Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government, Microsoft Nigeria, Standard Chartered Bank Plc, UKTI, Airline Services Ltd, Afrinvest WA, DHL, London Metropolitan University, Lornamead Africa, First City Monument Bank, and Teledom International, it was also graced by families and friends of the graduates.

The highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the model for a planned community-focused innovation centre by Mr. Executive Director, PIN ‘Gbenga Sesan.

The Innovation Centre, he said, would serve as a major hub for community development with adequate facilities for IT training and space for project graduates to practice their newly acquired IT skills.

“We are excited about the establishment of the Innovation Centre. It will be a centre for personal development, a place where these young people can channel their energies positively, develop IT skills and improve their chances at becoming role models for other young people”, he said.

The Public Relations and Communications Lead, Microsoft Anglophone West Africa, Mrs. Ngozi Ife Anene, who was at the meeting expressed satisfaction in the project.

“We are pleased to be part of the success story of these young people. Using our innovative technology, Microsoft will continue to invest in the development and futures of young people, helping them reach their full potential, making them positive change agents in Nigeria and in so doing, build a stronger economy and community,” she said.

She said the project has received support from the Microsoft Community Technology Skills programme whilst the Microsoft Digital Literacy Curriculum was used for the training.

According to the Programme Manager, Ajegunle.org Mr. Ugochukwu Nwosu, PIN is discussing with communities in other states on replication of the Ajegunle.org model in those locations.

He also said the project had trained 138 young people, who have in turn trained over 306 young people since inception.

The curriculum which consists of five computer courses, computer basics, the Internet and World Wide Web, productivity programmes, computer safety and security and digital lifestyles, is administered through e-learning. Microsoft Digital Literacy Certificates are issued to participants on successful completion of the curriculum.

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