- Aims at orienting the teeming Nigerian Youths on ICT Skills Development
- Urges FG to implement concrete strategies that will boost ICT
- Lawmakers should look inward for how to boost productivity using ICT- Jonny
In collaboration with the Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG), the leadership of the Vision-One Leadership Development Initiative (VOLDI) with support from African Union, ECOSOCC Nigeria organized a workshop discussion on ICT Skills Development Workshop for Nigerian Youths on Thursday.
The workshop themed: “The Economic Impact of Youths Involvement in a Digital Economy of Nigeria” held at the AU-ECOSOCC conference hall in Abuja, with aim to orient the teeming Nigerian Youths on the need for Information, Communication and Technology skills development had in attendance ICT gurus, Government Representatives, Civil Society Practitioners and Entrepreneurs.
The Executive Director of VOLDI, Mr. Johnny Emmanuel in his opening speech, emphasized on the need for President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration to implement concrete strategies that will boost Information, Communication and Technology in Nigeria for effective national development.
“It is time our lawmakers empower people from the grassroots level with the basic technology skills needed to spur the economy of the country. Lawmakers should look inward and know how they can use ICT to boost productivity in the country” he said.
Speaking at the event the Director Digital Economy Department of the Nigeria Communication Commission, Engineer Austin Nwanlune reinstated that COVID-19 has brought technology to effectiveness and having unintended effects on the digital economy by encouraging the sourcing of goods and services online, while also highlighting persistent digital inequalities.
He said “To make the best out of these digital opportunities, Nigeria should, without disregarding the external market first look inward to develop technologies that can serve our local needs. In this regards, digital entrepreneurs should target small, medium, and micro enterprises (MSME’s) as these firms form 99% of businesses in Africa and generate 60% of jobs.”
Also speaking at the event, the assistant commandant Mrs. Benedicta Kelechi Onyeogu, in her words disclosed that beyond the direct employment opportunities SMMEs avail, the youth should leverage on the opportunity to facilitate SMME’s in Nigeria in other to embrace a data-driven business model.
“Digital services can also create employment opportunities for the youth through replicative entrepreneurship. Speaking further, she said that it is very important for the Nigerian government to adopt the outlined strategies that will enhance the Nigerian youths to prosper in digital economy” she added.
Other speakers at the event includes; Comrade Ogakwu Dominic, President Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG), Ambassador Splendor Agbonkpolor, Executive Director, Initiative for Leadership and Economic Watch in Nigeria (ILEWN). Mrs Farom Henshaw, Director United Women Voice Interaction Foundation. Hajiya Fatima Bashir, Technical Aids Corps, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Lady Mrs. Rose Ashinze, President Sustaining Continuity in Education Foundation (SCEF) who also spoke especially on immense inclusivity on ICT training, citing people with disabilities and the underserved in our immediate communities.
Meanwhile a major highlight of the workshop was the Award Presentation of Excellence to Hajiya Fatima Bashir for being an Icon of Women and Youth empowerment in Nigeria.
Discussion about this post