APC youths set to proffer solution in ICT sector

The All Progressives Congress (APC) youth wing led by Chris Emejuru has said that Nigeria youth will find lasting solutions and prospects in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

The youth Leader said the youth have a lot to offer in the country, and the party has recognised this fact along with other trades.

Speaking with newsmen at the APC secretariat on Wednesday in Abuja, he said: “One of the key sectors we believe can empower youths as well as stimulate our economy is the ICT sector.

“This Youth friendly sector has not only the capability of producing millions of jobs, but can create a technological atmosphere that in turn, bring more transparency, ease of initiatives, and a smooth relaxed new era of the way Nigeria operates”, he added.

Emejuru said the Ministry of Communications in collaboration with the National Information Technology and Development Agency (NITDA) are putting in place ICT capacity building exercises for university graduates in its Graduate Internship Scheme.

His words: “As we speak, this pilot scheme has engaged 100 graduates receiving the benefit of this significant program. 600 more graduates are in the process of receiving training in Software Development, Coding, and other Information Technology activities not only in the South West, but throughout all geo political zones in the country.

“These initiatives that are ongoing for youths has got the attention of social media giant Facebook which stated, at the F8 developer conference in San Francisco, the United States of America April this year, is increasing its presence and deepening it’s partnership on the African continent because Africa is the future of the information technology growth.

“It has collaborated with African Developers especially in Nigeria including Entertainment, Jobber man, amongst others. However, without funding, how would opportunities, especially youths, be capitalized so as to produce the brand of a tech company like Facebook.

“One particular example of progress made from a funding perspective is the Kaduna Start-up Entrepreneurship Program KADSTED. The Bank of Industry has set aside N48.44 million in collaboration with the Kaduna State Government and Kaduna Business School and has provided loans for up to 15 Small and Medium Enterprises SMEs for those who qualified. The rate of those receiving loans is expected to rise as the BOI receives its return on investment through the success of these start-up businesses”, he stated.

He pointed out that the youths have a lot to look forward to, “as our Government at the Federal, State, and Local level in conjunction with the APC vision is creating that changing landscape where we can thrive in all sectors, including the ICT”.