Senator Augustine Akobundu
Empowering youths, most sustainable way to build human development –Akobundu
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Senator AustineAkobundu says that empowering the youths was one of the most sustainable way to build the human development index of Abia State.
Senator Akobundu made the assertion during the graduation of 186 youths from his Abia Central Senatorial District trained in six key areas of digital technology by the Senator Austin Akobundu Foundation.
The six-week digital skill technology training programme held at the Nostrocom House, Ogurube Layout, Umuahia, ended on Saturday, December 28, 2024. They beneficiaries were trained on six high demand areas of digital technology such as Cyber security operations, Graphics design, Digital marketing, Website development, FOREX trading and UI/UX design.
Addressing the graduands, Senator Austin Akobundu, the facilitator of the training programme, said: “I invested in this programme because I firmly believe that empowering our youth is the most sustainable way to build the human development index of Abia Central Senatorial district and create a brighter future for all.”
The federal lawmaker told the trainees that he single-handedly funded the training which gulp millions of naira. “Let me emphasize that this programme is not sponsored by any agency. It is an initiative of the Senator Augustine Akobundu Foundation, funded solely from my personal resources,” he said, and charged them to improve their environment by creating businesses that would impact positively on the growth of the Nigerian economy.
The Senator drummed it into the ears of the graduands that the skills they have acquired were not just tools for individual success, but part of the ways to innovation, contributing to economic productivity and community development.
He said that many other youths from the 62 Wards in the district would benefit from the exercise and that phased approach was deliberate and designed to guarantee equitable representation, whereby every Ward would have a stake in the transformative initiative.
He commend the trainees; their facilitators and mentors, whose dedication and commitment , he said, have shaped the success story that has laid the foundation for future achievements. A total of 1,000 youths are billed to be trained in 2025,
At the occasion, six best graduating students received awards from the Distinguished Senator. They include: Nwaeke Godson Chinonyerem (FOREX), Wisdom Ezeocha John (Graphics Design) and Great Chioma Mary (Digital marketing).
Others are: Gbaruko Chidozie Godwin (Cyber Security), Emole Peter Adimchinaobi (UI/UX) and Nwokoma Oddy (Website design). The trainees were issued with certificates.
