Abia state government in partnership with the Enterprise Development Center, office of the First Lady and Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is set to Commence the process of training about ten thousand women from Abia.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu made the disclosure earlier in the week while briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting, presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu explained that the programme will focus on capacity building and business support with particular emphasis on equipping participants with essential information technology skills for future endeavours.
According to him “Call for applications for the programme will soon Commence, and of course, you all know that this is pointed towards building capacity for Abians in different areas of endeavor, including SMES, stand alone IT -experts”
“The overriding interest of the state government is to ensure that as many people as possible acquire IT-skills that will help them in the future”.
Prince Kanu also informed the media that the Otti led-government has sponsored the participation of 26 individuals in Cyber security Certification examinations, while noting that the sponsorship was provided through the state Ministry of SME and digital economy.
The information Commissioner added that the move was geared towards enhancing Cyber Security expertise and fortified digital infrastructure within the state.
“This initiative is made to substantially increase the number of Cyber security expertise in the state”.
“Of course we know that this is the way to go in this era of technology and artificial intelligence.
“You have to have people who are good in Cyber security so that they can help the government maintain security generally in the state”.
He also disclosed that the state Executive Council has approved the “Dig Once policy” through the establishment of the Dig Once policy implementation Council headed by the Deputy Governor of the state, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu.
He explained that the policy was aimed at facilitating internet penetration and fast internet access on our highways and in the rural areas, adding that the policy is in line with the present administration’s well thought out agenda in information technology development, which is a serious enabler of business.
Prince Kanu further disclosed that the state government in a joint effort with the Federal Ministry of communication, innovation and digital economy has committed to establishing 6 -mini digital hubs with free internet access across the 3 zones of the state, including Arochukwu, Umunneochi, Ikwuano, Isialangwa south, Ukwa East and Ugwunagbo.
In another development, the state government, as part of the reforms being carried out in the state civil service through the Abia State Civil Service Commission, will soon Commence the certification of Administration officers in Human Resource Practice.
Throwing more light on this, the Information Commissioner noted that the state government started serious reforms of its civil service in order to create a robust and effective civil service, adding that officers will be expected to acquire professional certificates from relevant and approved professional bodies for progression in the civil service.
He emphasized that the state civil service will commence the actual implementation of this policy very soon as part of government efforts to build capacity for civil servants and professionalize the state civil service.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for SME and Digital Economy, Mr Mathew Ekwuribe said that the about-to-be launched “Dig Once” project is to minimize the constant digging on the roads to lay GSM cables by operators, which most times lead to destruction, adding that the project will be extended to the hinterland.
He noted that though,not every part of the state would benefit from the initiative, the internet hubs to be set up in 6 LGAS of the state by the federal Ministry of Digital Economy and collaboration with the state would provide Abians a functional hub to receive internet training and digital Services.
Answering questions from newsmen, the Special Adviser to the Governor on media and publicity Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma clarified the media on the real situation at the People’s road Aba which was rumored to have been washed off by flood.
Mr. Ekeoma emphatically stated that the road in question is under construction, and was merely hit by massive flood, and challenged the media to carry out independent investigation on the road.
The Media Adviser added that all the roads built so far by the present government are solid and have all the components to stand the test of time, and maintained that every completed road project passes through a rigorous process of certification before commissiong, in line with the template and directive of Governor Alex Otti.
Ferdinand Ekeoma
April 25,2024.
