Aba, Nigeria – As the Abia State Government officially flagged off the third cohort of its flagship digital skills program, Abia TechRise, the Executive Chairman of Aba North Local Government Area, Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke, has been prominently featured as a key supporter of the initiative, reaffirming his administration's dedication to youth development and technological innovation.
The TechRise Cohort 3 training program, which commenced recently in Aba, aims to equip 850 Abia youths with advanced digital and problem-solving skills necessary to thrive in the 21st-century global economy . The initiative is a strategic collaboration between the Abia State Government and the 17 Local Government Mayors, underscoring the critical role of local councils in grassroots empowerment .
In his role as a Local Government Chairman, Hon. Timothy Iheke has long championed initiatives that bridge the digital divide and create economic opportunities for young people. Earlier this year, in his New Year address, he highlighted youth empowerment and skill acquisition as key priorities, stating that "an educated and skilled population is the bedrock of sustainable development" . His presence and support at the TechRise event further solidify his commitment to ensuring that the youth of Aba North are not left behind in the rapidly evolving tech-driven economy.
The flag-off event, which took place in Aba, was led by Governor Alex Otti, who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu . In his address, Governor Otti charged the participants to look beyond the pursuit of certificates and focus on acquiring deep competence and hands-on skills .
"So do not just look for certificates; Seek deep competence and hands-on problem-solving skills. The digital marketing strategies you master here could scale a local business into a multinational brand," the Governor stated .
Governor Otti described the TechRise program as a strategic investment in Abia's greatest asset—its youth—aiming to transform them from passive consumers of technology into active creators of digital value .
The training curriculum for Cohort 3 is robust and industry-relevant, with a theme centered on "AI FIRST" . Participants will undergo intensive training in high-demand fields over the next 90 days, including:
· Software Development
· Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
· Cybersecurity
· Data Analytics and Data Engineering
· Product Design
· Digital Marketing
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lady Oge Maduka, emphasized the transformative vision behind the initiative. She noted that TechRise is designed to shape thinkers, innovators, and future leaders, declaring that "Abia youths must no longer stand at the edge of global innovation but must become active creators, leaders, and drivers of the digital future" .
Speaking on behalf of the Council Chairmen, the Chairman of Aba South LGA, Hon. Obialo Anyanwu, highlighted the program's potential to foster self-employment and create remote job opportunities for the participants .
The technical coordination of the project is being handled by LearnFactory Nigeria, with its CEO, Engineer Chibueze Ukaegbu, expressing gratitude to Governor Otti for the massive investment in the youths . The program also includes a post-training support framework, featuring mentorship, internship placements, and freelance opportunities to ensure participants are fully integrated into the digital economy .
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About Abia TechRise:
Abia TechRise is a state-government-led initiative designed to empower Abia youths with digital competencies. Previous cohorts have seen successful graduands receiving laptops to start their businesses, with 19 top-performing trainees receiving automatic employment into the state civil service .
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