As part of the measures put in place to reduce youths unemployment and help the youths to have gainful employment, Enugu State Government in collaboration with the African Leadership Accelerators( alx) is embarking on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Career Essentials training for youths.
Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Lyold Ekweremadu Jnr, disclosed that on Thursday, March 21, while briefing newsmen on the said program at the Rt. Hon.(Dr.) Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi NUJ Press Center,Enugu.
Speaking on the empowerment programme, Ekweremadu said the State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah is passionate about Youth development,hence the tech program.
According to him, alx has track records of connecting young people in the world and they wanted “the youth of Enugu state to tap from that., to take charge of Tech and lead the world.
“We are bringing to the youths of Enugu Artificial Intelligence (AI). We want to reduce youth unemployment by 70% by 2030. We have not tapped the goods of AI in terms of getting jobs”, he said .
Pix- Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon Ekweremadu Jnr
He said the AI Career Essentials training will last for 6 weeks ” It is free and it’s for people between 18- 35 years”. According to him, the state government was also working out other programmes which included Data Analytics, AWS Cloud Computing, Frontend Web Development, backend Web development, Salesforce administration, ,Data science among others.
These programmes according to him, are subsidized. He explained that students will pay a token which they will get back on completion of the program. The Commissioner added that the fee will make the students to be committed in the program.
Pix- Ekweremadu (4Th L) flanked by Alex team and NUJ,Enugu council chairman,Comrade Sam Udekwe( 1st R)
Pix- Ekweremadu and NUJ leadership. From L-R, Vice Chairman,Regis Anikworji, Chairman Sam Udekwe, Ekweremadu (m) Secretary , Ifeoma Amuta
In her remarks, the Country Marketing Manager, African Leadership Accelerators ( alx) Nigeria, Seun Babagide- Duroshola, commended Enugu state Government for approving the partnership. She said the approval has made their presence in Enugu state official.
On the AI training, she said AI has not come to take people’s jobs as most people thought, rather, “AI is the ability to change our lives. It is not taking anybody’s job. It helps to know whichever tools to utilize as a Doctor, Carpenter, plumber and so on,” She said.
Pix- Marketing manager Alex,Seun
The Marketing manager said the program is an online program which people can do in their comfort zones, anywhere they are
In a brief remark, the Country Director, Ruby Igwe , said alx has some partners who are accountable. She said some of their programs are completely online.and they will extend the programs to primary and secondary schools in Enugu state. She called on the youths to avail themselves of the opportunity and be part of the training
Pix 2- Newsmen
Beneficiaries of alx programs in Nigeria shared their experiences on how alx helped them to acquire skills in technology and linked them with companies that gave them good jobs.They encouraged Youths to embrace the training .
Author: Maureen Ikpeama