ABIA – The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, has urged Abia youths to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the TechRise Cohort 2 programme organized by the State government to equip themselves with digital skills that will make them globally competitive and economically independent.
Pastor Ajagba, who was Guest Speaker at the ongoing Abia TechRise Cohort 2 training in Aba, said Governor Alex Otti administration is deliberately investing in youth development through technology and innovation rather than handouts, describing the initiative as a practical response to the changing dynamics of the global economy.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor while charging the participants to be diligent, creative and visionary, reminded them that the future belongs to those who embrace technology as a tool for transformation.
He noted that the TechRise initiative, jointly organized by the State Government, the 17 Local Government Area Mayors and LearnFactory Nigeria, reflects Governor Otti’s commitment to building a knowledge-driven economy anchored on innovation and skills, adding that by empowering 856 young men and women drawn equally from all LGAs of the state, the government is laying the foundation for sustainable growth, digital inclusion and job creation.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor further commended the partnership with LearnFactory Nigeria and expressed optimism that the programme would not only produce job creators but also position Abia as a regional technology hub.
In his speech earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of LearnFactory Nigeria and Coordinator of the TechRise programme, Mr Chibueze Ukaegbu, described the initiative as a life-changing platform designed to raise a new generation of technology-driven entrepreneurs and professionals from the state, pointing out that the programme was conceived to shift the focus of youth empowerment from temporary palliatives to sustainable skill acquisition and digital innovation.
Mr Ukaegbu disclosed that TechRise Cohort 2 is training 856 participants across fields including Artificial Intelligence, Web and Mobile Development, Data Engineering, Cybersecurity, 2D and 3D Animation, Game Development and Product Management/UI/UX Development, adding that the training, which is fully sponsored by the State Government in collaboration with the 17 LGA Mayors, is a continuation of the success recorded in Cohort 1, where 509 youths graduated and 19 of the best performers received automatic employment in the State Civil Service.
In a vote of thanks, one of the participants, Peace Ikpeka, thanked Governor Alex Otti for his vision and support and expressed confidence that the programme would catalyze a digital revolution in the state.
The program featured Question and Answer sessions and the presentation of three different books written by Pastor Caleb Ajagba to the participants.
