Edo, foundation train 500 youths in digital skills

The Edo State Government and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have concluded a one-day intensive digital skill training for over 500 youths to build their skills for the future workforce.

The programme tagged, ‘Digi Link’ held at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) main campus, in Benin City, was executed in partnership with ACIOE Associates and Public Digital to help the state government improve its digital capabilities.
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The focal person, Edo State Social Investment Programme, Osayueamem Aladeselu, said the programme would prepare youths for the future of work, fostering entrepreneurial skills and inspiring enthusiasm about their future paths.

According to her, the programme aims to create a digitally empowered citizenry for the state, expand learning opportunities and bridge the academia-industry gap, as well as establish a talent pipeline for the public sector and digital ecosystem, in line with the visions of the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.

She added: “We want to ensure that young persons begin to take their place in the digital transformation process, acquiring the right skills needed to succeed in the future workplace.
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“The training, targeting over 500 youths in the university community, has enhanced their employability, academic performance, earning potential and productivity and fostering responsible digital citizenship.

“It also provided a platform for conversations around leveraging innovation and technology to proffer solutions to societal problems, by tapping into the various opportunities provided by the state government to expand its digital space.

“This includes the Edo innovation hub, and how they can participate and take advantage of training at such facilities to improve their skills and contribute their quota to the development of the state and country.”

On his part, the Programme Director, Digi Link, Ekenem Isichei, said the learning series for the university students would go around every university in Edo State, to prepare the students for a digital future and create a pipeline of talents to grow the digital landscape of Edo State.
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