At 66, Nigeria Must Empower Youths With Digital Skills — Iwuchukwu

As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence anniversary, the SKI Foundation has called for greater investment in youth development. It advisedNigerians to nurture a new generation of critical thinkers capable of driving the country’s economic transformation.

The co-pioneer founder of the foundation, Sir S.K. Iwuchukwu, made the call in Abuja yesterday where he announced plans by the organisation to empower 5,000 Nigerian youths with digital skills.

Iwuchukwu said the initiative was designed to support young Nigerians, particularly those at the grassroots, to acquire skills that would make them competitive in an increasingly technology-driven economy.

He lamented what he described as inadequate government support for the average Nigerian through welfare programmes and social services aimed at reducing poverty and supporting vulnerable citizens.

“When support is not coming from the government, passionate individuals and well-meaning Nigerians must step in. We cannot just complain,” he said.

The foundation boss stressed that Nigeria could no longer afford to ignore the growing influence of technology on the economy, urging greater emphasis on digital education and critical thinking among young people.

“We cannot ignore how technology is changing our economy. We must embrace it with all we have. We must breed the next generation of critical thinkers if our nation must move forward,” he stated.

According to him, Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary should not only be a period of celebration but also an opportunity for citizens to contribute to national development and support vulnerable groups, particularly youths, women and children.

Iwuchukwu disclosed that the foundation would soon commence its Digital Skills Empowerment Programme in batches, beginning in Abuja.

He said the programme would cover areas including artificial intelligence, effective use of social media and other digital skills capable of helping young people generate income and build sustainable livelihoods.

He also stressed the importance of social services, saying they provide citizens with a sense of belonging, while urging governments at all levels to invest more in human capacity development.

Explaining the vision behind the foundation, Iwuchukwu said it was established out of a desire to prevent young Nigerians from losing hope and opportunities.

“When a Nigerian youth loses hope, Nigeria loses part of its future. We exist to Educate, Empower, Rebrand and transform young lives because the youth are the heartbeat of our nation.

“If SKI Foundation did not exist, many dreams would remain buried, many talents undiscovered, and many young people left without the chance to become who they were created to be. When we save a youth, we help shape the future of Africa,” he said.

He maintained that young Nigerians needed support from both government and well-meaning individuals to fulfil their potential, stressing that Nigeria remained central to Africa’s development.

Iwuchukwu therefore called for partnerships with corporate organisations, non-governmental organisations, government agencies, the media and individuals to enable the foundation achieve its target of empowering 5,000 youths.

He said the date for the commencement of the programme would be announced soon, adding that the initiative was targeted at the teeming population of Nigerian youths.

“The renewed hope we yearn for starts with acts of charity to people who need it most,” he added