Kwara State Government would on Monday, April 27 commence a two-week virtual digital training for youths, to keep them engaged during the lockdown occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world.
Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara said the initiative was part of the Digital Kwara component of the state’s Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP).
AbdulRazaq made this known in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Rafiu Ajakaye, on Thursday in llorin.
Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the initiative was a part of the Digital Kwara component of the state’s social investment programme (KWASSIP).
The virtual training was the first phase of a programme that would benefit up to 30,000 young people over the next three years.
The governor said the digital training would involve at least 2,000 youths who would be tutored in basic digital skills and be given certificates.
He said that the training was free and timed to ensure the youths make the best of the lockdown season by acquiring some digital skills that were relevant for the 21st century economy.
“Digital skills are becoming increasingly invaluable and Kwara youths shouldn’t be left behind in the global surge for the skills of the future.
“KWASSIP is partnering with Google and Wootlab Foundation to organise the free virtual training programme.
“Registration is free and open to all youths who may register for the programme through www.wootlab.ng/foundation/digital-kwara.
“The technology skills training under KWASSIP is multi-layered. It is originally designed to train 30,000 young Kwara residents in basic digital skills, while an additional 1,500 youths will be trained in advanced digital skills over the next three years.
“The programme will expose Kwara youths to digital skills and certifications, and prepare them for employment and entrepreneurial opportunities within the technology space.
“This fits into Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s agenda to make Kwara the place ‘to-go’ for digital skills in Nigeria,” he said
According to the governor, the long-term objective of Digital Kwara was to set up digital skills centres across Kwara where the youths would be equipped with globally relevant technology education.
This, he said, would include software development, data science, machine learning to advance human capital development in the state.
