Information Technology (IT)
is defined as a strategic pre-requisite in the new globalization as well as
achieving sustainable growth and socio-economic development of any nation.IT is increasingly becoming a necessary tool for the creation of majority of jobs throughout the world. The positive implication of this new trend is that job opportunities abound for citizens of countries like Nigeria where unemployment is high.
In Nigeria where the employment rate is currently put at 19.7% and over 72% live below the poverty line, study shows that Nigeria has about 45 million youths which constitute about 30% of the total population of the country.
Research however has shown that Nigerian youths can be exposed to borderless employment opportunities, global competitiveness and create wealth for themselves through the application of IT tools. A ready tool for youth empowerment is therefore available in IT to create gainful employment and generate wealth for a large pool of educated youths in the country.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Information and Communication Technology Youth Empowerment Scheme (ICTYES), which saw the training of 120 participants, the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Prof. Cleopas Angaye said that the training demonstrates the yearning of the youths to embrace knowledge and be self employed.
He highlighted that the agency has adopted 3 pronged approaches in its quest to empower Nigerians especially the youths in ICT.
Angaye said, “In implementing the Nigerian IT policy, NITDA has adopted a three-pronged approach of human capital development, infrastructural development and institutional capacity development. Towards achieving this NITDA has partnered with public and private organistations to train policy makers, civil servants and the youths amongst others.”
The DG said that NITDA has embarked on various initiatives targeted towards the teeming youthful population.
He stated, “These initiatives include amongst others, scholarship award for Masters and Doctorate degrees in ICT-related courses in any university across the globe; provision of IT Infrastructures for tertiary institutions in Nigeria; training of unemployed graduates in basic IT proficiency training; establishment of software development centers and IT parks and the provision of NITDA information resource centre.”
“This ICT sensitization and innovation programmes which focuses on the development of IT enabled youths through entrepreneurial skill, technical support programme including web technology, basic IT skills, computer repairs, maintenance and assembly is targeted at graduates from secondary and tertiary educational institutions. The aim is to develop the local technical support expertise in order to resettle graduates through self-employment schemes.”
According to him, the objectives of these trainings includes developing globally competitive skill in human capital development in ICT; to provide employment and economic opportunities through opportunities in the formal and informal jobs.
Others include creating high potential for entrepreneurship and support the development and growth of indigenous ICT industry to facilitate the production and provision of ICT products, goods and services in all ICT sectors of the economy.
Angaye urged beneficiaries of the scheme to ensure the success of the programme by putting into practice the knowledge they have acquired and also endeavour to train others to create the needed critical mass of IT capable human capital.
In his remarks, the Director, Corporate Strategy and Research, NITDA, Mr. Emeka Ezekwesili, noted that the training exercise would serve as a bridge on the technological divide in the nation.
He said, “I am happy that you people have started embracing technology and building a bridge on the technological divide that has bedeviled the economic sector.”
He posited that the five-day training was not only based on technical IT but also on entrepreneurship. He urged the students to be innovative and highly motivated to do the right thing.
Ezekwesili further said that the outstanding students will be given a token and ‘start–up tools’ to enable them to commence self-development. He also remarked that all the 120 participants were selected on merit.
“The selection was transparently. If you ask some of the participants here today, some of them will tell you they have almost forgotten they applied for the training when we called them to invite them. It was purely meritorious,” he said.
In a chat with LEADERSHIP, a participant, Victor Rimdans Zwalmak, said the training had not only boosted his knowledge but had put him on a pedestal to achieve greater things as an entrepreneur.
He said, “I have passion for web design. I can develop professional website but coming for this training I am better equipped with other facets that go hand in hand with ICT. Presently I can design the web, repair computers, maintenance and assembly computers.”
He lauded NITDA’s initiative and urged them to encourage more youths to go into ICT. According to him, “not only will it create employment, if nurtured properly ICT can be a massive employer of labor.”
Leadership (Nigeria)