By Emma Okonji
Two students out of 37 youths who were trained and certified in basic Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills, from Ekobits Academy in Lagos, have been offered instant jobs at graduation ceremony.
The free ICT training, was facilitated by Poise Nigeria.
The youths who were selected for free ICT training from Otodogbame, Itedo, Ajiran, Ikate, and Babalola areas of Lagos State, had their graduation ceremony last week at the permanent site of Poise Nigeria, and it was attended by the Human Resource department of most organisations, who were on ground to interview all the graduates for on-the-spot assessment and employment.
They passed through 13 months intensive training programme in Graphics and Design, Web Design and Development, Work Ethics and Professionalism, Attitude and Behaviour, Business Plan, Photography and Video Editing, Basic ICT Skills and Excellence in Customer Service.
One of the lucky graduates, Opeyemi Adebisi, who was awarded best female student of the programme, was offered immediate employment at Techpointng as a Graphic Artist. The best graduating male student, Opeyemi Adeshina, also got a job with Gigastream Consulting as the IT and Admin Executive.
During the opening remark at the graduation ceremony, the Managing Director of Techpointng, Mr. Adewale Yusuf advised the graduating students to remain focused, make use the internet positively to develop themselves and be hardworking. The Managing Director of EkoBits Training School, Mrs. Uki Dare also announced the setting up of a new EkoBits location in November at Ikate, Lekki, which will allow the academy train up to a 100 youths from more slums in Lagos and other states. A special recognition was given to Mr. Edafe Mathew Eseoghene for his outstanding dedication and commitment to the students through his mentorship during the 13 months training programme.
EkoBits is part of the network of Bits Schools that offer demand aligned training in creative technology targeted at youth from the less privileged community. It is an initiative of the Work in Progress Alliance, Oxfam Novib and Butterfly. Since its commencement in Nigeria through Poise, it has trained over 50 students from different slums in Lagos that cannot afford to further their education into higher institutions and empower them through several ICT trainings.
