FG Begins Training of Over 100 Ebonyians in Creative Media, Other Digital Skills
By Alex Odeh | Pan Afric Reporters
In a strategic move to empower young people with creative media and other digital skills and alleviate poverty, the Federal Ministry of Education’s IDEAS-TVET Initiative, in collaboration with Guarantee Global Tech and Resources, has commenced the training of over 100 beneficiaries in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State.
The flag-off ceremony, which took place at the training centre of Guarantee Global Tech and Resources, located at No. 1 Hilltop Road, Abakaliki, was attended by representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), traditional rulers, clergymen and other critical stakeholders.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the representative of the National Project Coordinator of the IDEAS-TVET Initiative, Dr. Anozie Nwokoma, expressed joy and satisfaction over the commencement of the IDEAS-TVET Cohort 3 training programme in Ebonyi State.
He said, “Today is not simply about announcing another training programme; it is about creating opportunities, building human capital, strengthening Nigeria’s technical and vocational education ecosystem, and equipping our young people with the practical skills they need to participate meaningfully in the economy.
“The IDEAS Project, implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education with the support of the World Bank, has continued to demonstrate that skills development is a powerful pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. Over the course of implementation, the IDEAS Project has recorded significant achievements across various components of the project.”
In his address, the Quality Assurance Assessor, Mr. Onyenucheya Okoro Uneke, said learning a practical skill was one of the most vibrant initiatives anyone could undertake to achieve career development.
“The essence of the Quality Assurance Assessor is to assess the students’ performance and maintain standards and transparency, among others. From day one, we have been assessing the students to identify their needs, the areas where they are not doing well, as well as their strengths and weaknesses, in order to know how to help them and shape their learning pathways.
“All of them have folders where they keep their documents. Every week, they learn something new and also fill in their logbooks. So, the standard has been maintained in line with the National Occupational Standards (NOS) to ensure that quality and standards are maintained.
“Currently, the Federal Ministry of Education, through the IDEAS Project, is training over 500 assessors from different Training Service Providers (TSPs) across the country. This underscores the importance of having a quality assessor in a training centre.
“All these beneficiaries are being trained in video editing, graphic design, crew membership, camera handling, content creation and other related skills.”
In their separate remarks, the representative of the ITF, Mr. Stanley Chukwu; the representative of Ministry of Education, Dr. Jonathan Udu and Program manager of Guaranty Global Tech & Resources, Engr. Njoku Goodness,as well as the representative of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mr. Ernest Atama; a community leader, Chief Jeffrey Okoroeze; and the representative of the clergy, Pastor Ndubuisi Chukwu, among other stakeholders, encouraged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously.
They said, “When you have a skill, you will not have time to join protests or look for someone to fight because your activities will not allow you to do so. The opportunity created for you to learn these skills is a peculiar one.
“With this training, you are going to be the leaders of tomorrow. You cannot lead when you are not guided, and you cannot succeed when you do not have a skill. Hold this opportunity firmly. Do not compromise. We can outdo China if we are committed.”
The CEO of Pacific Institute of Catering and Hotel Management, Mr. Kwalu John Paul, said skills acquisition was key to succeeding in the country.
“Skill is the only way to succeed in this country. Without a skill, hunger will deal with you. When you have something doing, you can never lack, especially when you know how to do it and do it very well.
“I know many people who are making millions in Abakaliki because of their skills. I have been involved in skills development for over 18 years, and I have achieved a lot through skills development.”
Speaking in an interview, one of the participants, Ede Ofobuike, said the training had equipped him with valuable creative media skills.
“This training is a powerful one. We have been equipped with creative media skills. A great number of us have been empowered. I am happy that I am one of the beneficiaries. It has impacted positively on my life,” he said.
Another participant, Okike Ogbonnaya Eunice, said she was excited about the training, adding that she had acquired skills in content creation, video editing and graphic design.
“I am overwhelmed with this project. I have learned content creation, video editing, graphic design, among others. The tutors and the environment are very conducive, and the stipend is really helpful, especially with transportation. It will make me self-employed,” she said.
