Group moves to curb unemployment, trains 54 youths on ICT
Determined to combat unemployment and poverty among the youths of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large, a Non Governmental Organization, (NGO), the Vision Foundation Computer Institute has trained and empowered over 54 youths of the state on data processing and Information and Communication Technology, (ICT).
Already, the NGO has established 12 business centres furnished with modern computer facilities in the major towns in the state for its trainees, while 10 of them were given automatic employment in other privates companies.
Speaking during the maiden convention and empowerment of the trainees of the scheme held at the institute’s premises along Atiku Abubakar Way, Uyo, the stae capital, over the weekend,
the president of the foundation, Elder Samuel Nyong said with the rapid growth in the numbers of youths graduating in tertiary institutions every year, the scheme seeks to offer opportunity for economic and social development of the youths and reduce unemployment.
He said, “The incidence of poverty among young people in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Uganda, Zambia and Burundi is over 80% according to World Bank in 2009; the highest rates of poverty can be observed among young women and people living in rural areas.
“That is why we, in the Vision Foundation Computer Education founded on divine trust in God is poised to provide employment and empowerment opportunities to our youths through ICT training,
because when we tackle unemployment among the teaming youths through practical skills. We can be rest assured that instability, restiveness, armed robbery, kidnapping, militancy and insecurity are directly addressed.”
Nyong explained that the graduate students have been successfully trained on various ICT skills which include data processing, web design technology, graphics and concept designs, photography,
video editing technology, autocad technology, laptop/computer engineering technology, internet and online technology and photocopier/handset engineering technology, free of charge by the institute.
The Chairman, Governing Council of the institute, Mr. Aniebiat Okon said that the issue of computer education and fight against unemployment should not be left to government alone,
that is why they moved with passion to train Nigerian youths residing in Akwa Ibom state free of charge and empower them at the end of the training to be gainfully employed.
He said that they have already invested over 5million naira for this year’s empowerment programme to established business centres for their trainees, urging them to be prudent in managing the centres.
The regional representative of the World Health Organization, (WHO), Dr. Robson Robinson said with the training and empowerment of the youths the institute,
they have keyed into the goals of sustainable development, adding that with their initiative, more entrepreneurs would be discovered and crime will reduce adding that, “He who opens the school door, closes the prison.”
Bassey Willie, Uyo
