The Enugu government has announced its plan to train and empower 40,000 youths annually, equipping them with modern skills across various domains.
Lloyd Ekweremadu, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, shared during a press briefing on Tuesday that the programme would encompass artificial intelligence and the enhancement of existing skills to meet international standards.
He outlined that the Enugu government’s strategy for youth skill enhancement and empowerment involves a multi-sectoral approach, with coordination from the Ministry of Youth.
Ekweremadu highlighted that programmes have been devised across various ministries to reach the targeted 40,000 youths each year.
Additionally, the commissioner mentioned that since assuming office, his ministry has collaborated with several organisations and entities to deliver skills training and general empowerment within a few months.
Mr Ekweremadu said, “We have ongoing online artificial intelligence training and digital skill upscaling with ALX and Mastercraft Foundation, and for now, we have trained 500 youths, while thousands more will be trained before the end of the year.
“This training is meant to give our youths the necessary hi-tech knowledge for various human endeavours and get certified to gain from the competitive international labour market.”
He explained that following the training, beneficiaries would receive a starter pack tailored to their specific training, enabling them to commence commercial practice based on their newly acquired skills and contribute value to the state’s economy.
Mr Ekweremadu emphasised that these endeavours to enhance the productivity and innovation of young people were aimed at preparing them to actively contribute to the efforts aimed at elevating the state’s economic status from its current $4.4 billion to $30 billion.
“The state government believes that the expansion of the economic base and earning of the state is highly possible, especially when youths fully key into it and become the drivers of the aspiration,” he said.
