Twenty five youths from Aguata communities in Anambra State have received digital skills as well as one brand new laptops each by member representing Aguata Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Engr Dom Okafor.
The two-day training for the youths drawn from the 20 wards in the Constituency and centered on Computer Programming and Data Processing was organized by the lawmaker in collaboration with Industrial Arbitration Panel, Abuja.
The beneficiaries, at the end of the training which took place at the Aguata Local Government Secretariat, Ekwulobia, were presented with a laptop each as well as N5000 cash support for their transportation.
The training is coming barely two months after the lawmaker was inaugurated into the 10th National Assembly.
Presenting the laptops to the beneficiaries after successful completion of the training, Okafor said the training was targeted at empowering the youths with the 21st century in the area of technology to enable them fulfill their life ambitions.
He said, “The youths were selected across various fields after being adjudged proactive and capable of escalating the knowledge garnered to their communities.
“The world is a global village and ICT is the next big thing. Across various spheres of human endeavour, ICT knowledge is very important because of how it can help youths to be creative.
“I have been a member of the Rotary Club for over 20 years and in the club I learned impactful living. As a Rotary President of Rotary Club of Portharcourt in 2012, I was adjudged the best because of the things I did then.
“That is what I want to replicate in the representation of the people of Aguata this time around at the Green Chamber.”
Congratulating the beneficiaries for successful completion of the programme, Okafor encouraged them to make the utmost use of the opportunity and to take the knowledge to their constituencies.
“I’m impressed with what I saw during the training and I’m optimistic the youths have what it takes to lead the digital revolution in the constituency.
“It pains me when I see the amount of man hours our people spend on social media, doing irrelevant things instead of being productive with the internet.
“So I encourage you to utilize the knowledge you have garnered during this training and explore further.
“Do not to sell these laptops you were given today but ensure that you use them to empower yourselves because there is so much you can do with these equipment,” Okafor admonished.
Earlier, Transition Committee Chairman for Aguata LGA, Dr Chibueze Oforbuike said the lawmaker’s the initiative remained what the people need from their representatives, adding that youths are beginning to feel the impact of his representation.
“I want to thank God for this auspicious event which marks a milestone in the efforts to groom digitally-literate Aguata youths, and for our lawmaker for the life-time opportunity he has given these youths.
“For me, this is the representation we are talking about. One that focuses on empowering the youths with tech skills.
“For you to envision this and pull it through towards getting our youths off the streets with these digital skills, it is quite commendable.
“Knowledge is the best thing one can bequeath the younger generation and that is what you are doing and we appreciate you,” Oforbuike noted.
On her part, Head of ICT of the partnering firm, Theresa Chinaza-Bamiyo described decision to engage the youths as key motivation for them, assuring that they would continue to provide the expertise required to see the initiative through.
A stakeholder in the area, Dame Chinyere Mbakwe, who doubles as member of the Board of ASUBEB representing Private Schools, said, “with what is happening in the Constituency, the youths will be tech-savvy, and the future is bright for the constituency.”
She commended Hon Okafor for hitting the ground on assumption of office, stressing that his disposition is clear evidence that the votes of Aguata people were not misplaced.
An ICT expert, Kennis Maduka, a resource person/instructor at the training, stressed the need to follow up the beneficiaries to ensure they did not have any challenges deploying the knowledge they acquired.
Some of the beneficiaries appreciated the benefactor for the opportunity to be empowered with digital skills, promising to use the knowledge towards self-actualization.
