Nosa Alekhuogie
EkoBits ICT Academy, in collaboration with Poise Nigeria, has trained and graduated 42 youths from less privileged communities who were discovered from the suburb of Lagos, around Itedo, Marwa Ajiran, Ikate, Babalola and Jakande.
They were given 12 months training programme in computer graphics design, web design and development, work ethics and professionalism, attitude and behavious, business plan, photography and video editing, basic ICT skills and excellence in customer service, among others.
The graduation ceremony, which took place at the permanent site of Poise Nigeria, was well attended by the human resource department of some organisations to interview all the graduates and employ the successful ones on the spot.
One of the students, Umar Annual, was awarded best male student of the programme after specialising in web design and development and Opeyemi Agbaje, was awarded with the best female student. Uber Kenechukwu received the award as the best graphic designer, while Simeon Samson was awarded as the best web developer.
During the opening remark, the Project Manager of EkoBits ICT Academy, Innih Ikhide advised the graduating students to believe in themselves, use the internet positively to develop themselves and be hard working. The Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Governor on youth employment and head of Edo Jobs, Mrs. Uki Dare, congratulated the students and urged them to make the best use of the skills acquired. The Special Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on New Media and the Head of Digital Communications, Mr. Fadoju Babajide, advised the graduating students to ensure that they focus on gaining work experience.
Ikhide also used the opportunity to call on the government, international non-governmental organisations, philanthropist and Nigerians to support the laudable project, which will serve as an avenue to reduce the rate of unemployment among many young Nigerian youths.
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.
