Human Capital Devt: Gov EMMANUEL Presents starter Packs To 100 A’ibom Youths

…as second phase beneficiaries Dakkada digital skills development completes training

The Evanglist
December 16, 2022
By Mfonobong UKPONG

100 Akwa Ibom youths who participated in the second phase of the Dakkada Digital Skills-(ICT software) development in cloud services and network, data science & analytics, and web application development (Front end and back end) sponsored by Akwa Ibom State government have been presented with starter packs containing laptops by Governor Udom Emmanuel.

In addition they are to receive a cash price of N200,000(two hundred thousand naira) each from the government through the Ministry of Labour and Manpower planning, the coordinating ministry handling the Dakkada skills enhancement programme of the state government.

The presentation was held, Friday December 16, 2023 during the official closing/graduation ceremony held for the trainees by the Ministry of Labour and Manpower planning at the conference room of the Dakkada Secretariat at Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo.

Addressing the graduands, Governor Udom Emmanuel represented by the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Pastor Umo Eno, congratulated them on their successful training, saying the digital skills enhancement programme of his administration was inline with his government’s human capacity development drive as encapsulated in his completion agenda.

Speaking, Pastor Umo described the digital skills enhancement programme as a well thought out initiative, as it would enable the youths to be employers of labour.

“Governor Udom Emmanuel is interested in human capital development. I want to thank this Governor who has taken this very seriously in this administration. With this, our youths would be gainfully employed, as it this would enable our youths to participate in the digital space”.

“You are the testimony that Udom Emmanuel has. This training prepares you to be employers of labour.
Next administration would be ICT driven. We will propose a Directorate of ICT, because we want to strengthen ICT development in the state”.

“We will continue to do everything to support Akwa Ibom people. The google triangle in Eket is one platform that will enhance your profession.This administration has done a lot to prepare us for the future. This is a strategic infrastructure that we’ve put in place.

Pastor Umo Eno who used the opportunity to hint on some of the things he would do in the ICT sector if he is elected into office in 2023, promised to leverage on the strides recorded by the current administration in ICT development by ensuring that the Ibom Science Park with it’s huge economic benefits comes alive during his tenure.

“We are just going to leverage on what Governor Udom Emmanuel has done. By the time the ICT Directorate is created, some of you will help set up the platform that we will create. If you have taken this training seriously, the digital space is wide enough to engage you”.

“Everything in this world today is driven by technology, so take your training seriously. There are so many software, there are some many solution the world is looking for, and you can be the solution provider with the skills you have acquired”.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Labour and Manpower Planning, Mr. Aniefiok Isaac Nkom lauded the Governor for approving the training of Akwa Ibom youths in various digital skills, noting that this would equip them for the digital global space.

He said the Governor’s huge investment in the ICT skills development amongst Akwa Ibom youths is a pointer to the Governor’s commitment in boosting human capacity development in the State.

Nkom expressed hope that the third phase of the ICT training would accommodate more beneficiaries, as the target is to ensure that the youths get the needed certification in digital skills in order to be self-reliant.

Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, while commending the Governor for facilitating the training, urged beneficiaries to make good use of the skills acquired, assuring that the civil is ready to engage their services.

“We will leverage on this to build our digitized Civil Service. Don’t go and bury talents, make good use of this opportunity. Make sure you explore the contents of this bag and reach out to the world”.

In attendance at the ceremony were, former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia, and Director General, Umo ENO Campaign Organization, Amb. Assam Assam, Commissioner for Power and Petroleum Resources, Dr. John James Etim, State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Sunny James, Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT, Mr. Kufre Ekpoh and his counterpart, Mr. Richard Okon.