Anambra state governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has earmarked N100 million to empower about 2000 youths in the state to embark on innovation and business incubation.
The youths are currently undergoing a one-week training on how to invest the money at the state government owned International Conference Centre (ICC), Awka.
The state deputy governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim who flagged off the programme yesterday on behalf of the governor, praised Professor Soludo for his foresight in initiating youth empowerment and creative programmes.
He said, “We as a government are deliberate about this and we are happy that this is happening during our time because the hope of our future is the youth and innovative technology has become the rout for the future ”
“The youths would benefit bountifully from this and His Excellency, Prof Charles Soludo has this policy of ensuring that there is something new to learn and do to solve societal problems.
“I urge our youths to exploit this opportunity provided by Mr Governor to empower and rediscover themselves ” the deputy governor advised the youths.
Earlier in her speech the special adviser to the governor on Innovation and Business Incubation, Miss Chinwe Okoli whose agency is organising the programme stated the theme of the programme is “Creating The Future Of Africa Now”.
She stated that the programme is a clarion call to leverage the transformative power of technology and innovations in building Africa that thrives in the digital economy.
She said that the programme reflects Prof Soludo’s unwavering commitment to inspire and empower the youths with digital skills, and to transform the Anambra state into a digital hub.
Some of the resource persons, including an Anambra state-born University of Nigeria (UNN) graduate of Electronics Engineering, Chukwuemeka Afoigbo whose spoke via zoom from California, USA; digital technology expert, Emmanuel Essiet; Aba, Abia state -based environmental technologist, Daniel Chinagozi, and, chief executive officer (CEO) of the state government’s ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Agbata in their respective presentations underscore the pivotal role of information technology in shaping today’s world.
While Afo-Igbo spoke about “emerging technologies that are shaping tomorrow”, Essiet, Chinagozi and Agbata particularly spoke on concepts that demystify innovation in digital literacy.
Essiet for instance described information technology as one of the forces that are shaping the world today, adding that “innovation is not just creating new things but finding the best way to do something”.
