Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) has commenced the training of 300 unemployed youths from Enugu State on digital skills.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Oji-River Local Government Area, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, urged participants to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire life-changing skills that would guarantee them automatic employment after the programme.
The trainees were drawn from the Greater Awgu political zone comprising Awgu, Oji-River, and Aninri Federal Constituency.
The training, facilitated by the Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy through the Digital Bridge Institute, Enugu Campus, witnessed enthusiastic participation from shortlisted youths across the three local government areas.
The programme was attracted by Mazi Ezenwa Onyirimba, Director of Youths and Students Affairs at the APC National Headquarters. Represented by the Enugu State APC Chairman, Barr. Ugochukwu Agballah, Chief Nnaji urged the trainees to take the training seriously, noting that the skills would transform their lives.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the initiative and commended the Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr. Bosun Tijani, for deploying the Digital Bridge Institute, Enugu Campus, for the programme.
Nnaji also lauded Onyirimba, who doubles as Chairman of the South East Youth Stakeholders Forum, for attracting the training, describing it as consistent with the President’s tech-driven agenda.
According to him, technology has become a new global civilization, surpassing even the industrial revolution.
“Tech contributes 29.5 percent to the world economy and is growing at 9.5 percent annually. With robotics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data analytics converging, our youths must be prepared to engage in this new realm,” Nnaji said.
He dismissed claims that the programme was limited to APC members, stressing that it was non-partisan and open to all interested youths.
In his remarks, Onyirimba thanked the SSA to the President on Community Engagement (South East), Barr. Chioma Nweze, for her support in facilitating the training. He explained that participants would receive transport and feeding allowances during the programme, laptops at the end, and stand a strong chance of automatic employment in tech companies, government agencies, and even overseas.
“This initiative is about empowerment, employment, and sustainable development for Greater Awgu youths. About 80 percent of participants are expected to secure jobs after the training, which runs for three to six months depending on the package chosen,” Onyirimba stated.
President of the Digital Bridge Institute, Dr. Daser David, represented by the Head of the Enugu Campus, Mr. Daniel Chinagozi, said the Institute was partnering with U.S.-based firm SBTS to equip Nigerian youths with globally relevant digital skills.
He disclosed that the Institute plans to train and engage 50,000 youths nationwide within the next two years in areas such as business process outsourcing, digital marketing, software development, and cybersecurity.
According to him, the Enugu Campus, with a larger capacity than Abuja’s, will continuously admit new cohorts monthly to meet growing demand and link graduates to in-demand jobs across Nigeria and abroad.
