JESSE/Nigeria: The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP says the initiative has equipped thirty two youths in Delta State with Information Technology skills to make them self employed and wealth creators.
Delta State Coordinator of NEWMAP Mr. Isaac Ufiofio made this known during the closing ceremony of the Training on Digital Skills and ICT Proficiency in Jesse Community in Ethiope West local government area of the state.
Some of the beneficiaries of the World Bank and State Government assisted program including Regina Ateri and Emmanuel Ogaga, narrate the impact of the six weeks training on Information Communication Technology describing the process as transformational.
“From the first person to the 30th person can be able to identify what the computer is all about.”
“We can create designs. I can analyze data using (Microsoft) Excel.”
The Ethiope West Council Chairman Mr. Nelson Owoso and the traditional ruler of Jesse Kingdom, Ovie Arthur Whisky, observed the empowerment program would reduce youth restiveness and lead to development in the area.
“Go and market the Idjere Kingdom using the ICT.”
“The trainees should take advantage of the opportunity.”
The State Coordinator of NEWMAP Mr. Isaac Ufiofio, noted aside the mandate of the project to remediate environments devasted by natural phenomena, the scheme also takes into consideration the human capital development of residents in it’s area of operation.
“The environment has been undergoing deterioration. It has to be propped up. In the process of doing that, the human resources is not left out.”
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Chairman Technical Committee of NEWMAP Dr. Minnie Oseji represented by Mr. Victor Efeturi, and the program IT Supervisor Mrs Nimota Dekpe, stressed the importance of ICT skills as solution provider and a marketable commodity.
Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of certificates and startup support including laptops and printers to the beneficiaries.
