Suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has empowered 250 youths with high-demand technical skills, including drone technology, renewable energy, advanced welding, and data analytics.
The intensive training, held at the senator’s residence in Kogi Central, was part of a comprehensive human capital development programme aimed at promoting self-reliance, innovation, and employability among young Nigerians.
The empowerment exercise saw 80 participants trained in drone security and environmental sustainability, 50 in advanced welding and fabrication techniques, another 50 in renewable energy installation, and 70 in data analytics and digital transformation, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 250.
Addressing participants at the closing ceremony, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the programme as “a set of strategic human capacity development initiatives structured to close the widening gap in access to technology and relevant skills.”
“Our people deserve to be empowered with the very best of technology for self-reliance,” she said, emphasising her resolve to ensure constituents are not left behind in global innovation trends.
Central to the programme was the deployment of drone technology, which the senator said was inspired by countries like South Africa, Egypt, Malawi, and Ethiopia, nations that have successfully leveraged drones for economic development in areas such as mining, agriculture, and infrastructure monitoring.
“Drone technology is the new frontier of socio-economic development not only in Africa but globally,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan declared. “Furthermore, by freely distributing 80 drones to individuals and learning institutions, we are setting a standard for Nigeria as a leader in innovative capacity-building technologies.”
Highlighting the broader uses of drone innovation beyond photography and videography, she pointed to its potential in sectors like construction, oil and gas, agriculture, delivery services, environmental monitoring, geographic mapping, and telecommunications.
As part of the initiative, the senator extended her drone intervention to ten tertiary institutions across Nigeria. Departments of Geology and Environmental Science from the selected schools received the DJI Neo drones, compliant with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s sub-250g regulation.
The benefiting institutions include, Federal College of Education, Okene, Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi State University, Anyigba and Federal University, Lokoja.
Others are Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, University of Ilorin, Bayero University, Kano, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Federal University of Science and Technology, Minna.
According to the senator, the goal is to “equip educational institutions with modern tools that will enhance students’ learning experiences and provide hands-on training in emerging technologies.”
This latest initiative follows closely on the heels of other tech-driven projects by Akpoti-Uduaghan, including the flag-off of two smart markets in Kogi Central with a combined capacity of 160 shops, and the distribution of 700 computers to students of Abdul-Azeez Attah Memorial College, Okene (AAAMCO).
Reaffirming her commitment to tech-enabled development, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan concluded, “Our people deserve the best. I will continue to empower them with modern technologies and innovation-driven opportunities that improve lives and secure the future.”
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