Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has urged young people to look beyond academic qualifications and prioritize acquiring digital proficiency to thrive in today’s economy. Speaking on Wednesday at the launch of the Techrise Cohort 3 programme, Otti said mere certificates are no longer enough to secure employment or sustain a career.
The governor, represented by Commissioner Uzor Nwachukwu, addressed 850 youths enrolled in the three-month training initiative. He emphasized that the programme aims to equip participants with entrepreneurial and innovative abilities, enabling them to become job creators rather than job seekers.
According to Otti, the modern workplace demands deep competence and practical problem-solving skills. He advised the youths to focus on building expertise in technology rather than relying solely on paper qualifications.
Permanent Secretary Oge Maduka explained that the training covers artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, product design, software development, data engineering, and other emerging tech fields. She noted that these skills are critical for the participants to succeed in a competitive global environment.