By Israel Mbam
No fewer than 829 youths have completed the FON 4-TECH digital skills training programme organised with the support of the Ebonyi State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (EBSMEDA), with five outstanding participants receiving laptops to support their continued learning and productivity.
The one-week programme exposed participants to emerging digital skills, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) Automation, Web Development, Graphic Design and Web3.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Director-General of EBSMEDA, Dr. Stephen Odo, challenged the beneficiaries to move beyond acquiring digital knowledge and begin transforming their skills into businesses, services and practical solutions to challenges in their communities.
Odoh said the training was designed not only to provide participants with technical knowledge but also to equip them with the capacity to apply digital skills to real-life challenges and create economic opportunities. He noted that technology had become central to virtually every sector of the economy, stressing that early exposure to AI, web development, graphics and other emerging technologies would strengthen young people’s competitiveness and productivity.
The EBSMEDA Director-General explained that the short training was only an entry point, disclosing that the agency had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (IDICE) project, funded by the Bank of Industry (BOI), for a four-month training programme.
“The four days are not enough for web development, graphics, Web3 and AI Automation. We already entered an MOU agreement with the IDICE project, funded by the Bank of Industry, for four months training,” Odoh said.
According to him, the extended programme would go beyond information and communication technology to include other areas such as shoemaking and various vocational skills. He encouraged participants in the FON 4-TECH programme to take advantage of the extended opportunities to deepen their knowledge and acquire additional skills that could improve their economic prospects.
Odoh also disclosed that EBSMEDA was supporting entrepreneurs through several initiatives, including the distribution of 250 free Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals, free Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and Export Certificate registration, as well as initiatives aimed at providing affordable financing for women entrepreneurs. He further revealed that the agency was at the documentation stage with the Bank of Industry for a ₦1 billion revolving loan scheme designed to support small and medium-scale enterprises in Ebonyi State.
The EBSMEDA boss urged the beneficiaries not to wait for formal employment before putting their newly acquired skills to use, advising them to identify problems within their communities, develop innovative solutions and build businesses around their expertise.
Coordinator of FON4-TECH Programme, Blessing Nweke, said the initiative was conceived to bring more young people into Ebonyi State’s growing technology ecosystem.
Nweke explained that the programme was inspired by the achievements of young Ebonyians already making progress in the technology sector and the need to expose more youths to emerging opportunities.
“In Ebonyi State, we have so many youths that are doing well in technology, so I think we should bring more people on board,” she said.
She disclosed that the programme attracted 829 participants, a turnout she described as exceeding the organisers’ initial expectations.
Nweke assured the participants that the initiative would continue online, providing them with opportunities to remain connected with the organisers, access further learning and seek assistance whenever they encounter challenges while applying the skills acquired during the training.
Five outstanding participants were presented with laptops at the end of the programme as incentives to support their continued learning, innovation and productivity.
One of the beneficiaries, Nwibo Sandra, who emerged as the best participant in the AI Automation class, expressed excitement and surprise over receiving a laptop.
Sandra said the training provided her with a solid foundation in AI Automation, while acknowledging that the field was too broad to be mastered within a short period.
“One week is not enough to learn everything that’s in AI, but the basics of AI Automation, the things that will help you when you venture into AI, you’ll say these are the basics and I already know it,” she said.
Another participant, Nwachukwu Isaiah, a poultry farmer, said the programme had opened his eyes to the possibility of applying artificial intelligence to agriculture and improving his farming activities.
The ceremony ended with the presentation of laptops to some of the best-performing participants and certificates to all participants who successfully completed the training programme.
