Tech experts’ consortium to train 500 A’Ibom youths

Ini Billie, Uyo

The Ibom Innovation Network, a consortium of tech experts in Akwa Ibom State will open its 2nd technology week targeting the training of 500 youths and women.

The workshop that would showcase and drive talent development and employment in the tech and startup ecosystems will be held at 4 Points by Sheraton in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area from October 30 to November 5, 2023, and is targeted at young persons aged 16.

Speaking at the weekend in Uyo about the workshop intended to train and create job opportunities for 300 youths and 200 women in the technology industry, the Publicist of the group, Mr Idongesit Essien said the idea was to discover and develop talents within the industry that would make Akwa Ibom the next tech giant in Africa.

Essien explained that industry experts from across the country including Kachif Innuwa Abdullahi, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Oswald Osaretin Guobadia Former Senior Special Assistant on Digital Transformation to the President, and Deji Sarumi of Tech Hive Advisory amongst other would be present at the occasion.

He stated that a total of 1,000 participants consisting of 700 online audiences and 300 persons are expected to participate in the one-week workshop, adding that at the end, 200 female participants would be selected and trained free on technology skills of their choice.

“Since 2015, the Akwa Ibom tech ecosystem has grown exponentially, at rates never seen before in the state’s 36-year history. The number of Innovation hubs has increased from 2 to 14 in the last 7 years.

“This has resulted in the training of more than 3,000 innovators, with many more, triple that number learning informally at their homes and taking remote jobs in software development, product design, project management and business analysis.

“We want people to be able to identify problems and use technology to solve them, be it hardware, software or a combination of both. It is a networking event that anyone who attends will get inspired. You will have mentorship on how to go about your tech career.

“Sheedx Africa has opened her slot for about 200 ladies that will be trained for a six-month programme in the hub on their business ideation and technical skills among others.

“We are looking at young people aged 16 and above. We are targeting secondary school students, students in the tertiary institutions, venture capitalists, persons in the finance sector, persons in government, especially regulators in science and tech in Nigeria,” he stated.

The 2023 Tech Week 2023 which is a revolution designed to shape the future of technology in Akwa Ibom is spearheaded by Hanson Johnson, Amanda Etuk, Dr Odiong Akpan, Aniekan Ani-Ezekiel, Lawrence Akubue, Victoria Fabunmi, among others.