Benue State Gov’t Partners with Google to Train 10,000 Youths in ICT, Launches Youth Development Initiatives
The Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has announced a strategic partnership with global tech giant Google to train 10,000 youths in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) across the state, a move aimed at addressing youth unemployment and fostering digital literacy.
The initiative, as reported by Nairametrics, is designed to empower young people with the necessary skills to thrive in the burgeoning digital economy.
The governor emphasised the critical importance of the ICT training program, which seeks not only to provide Benue youths with valuable digital skills but also to steer them away from a life on the streets.
“In partnership with Google, we have commenced the training of 10,000 youth in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
“This initiative is designed to equip you with the skills needed to compete in the digital economy, opening doors to endless opportunities,” Governor Alia stated during the announcement.
Beyond equipping youths with digital skills, Governor Alia took the opportunity to address the rising concerns of criminality among the youth in Benue State.
He passionately called on those involved in drug abuse, cultism, internet fraud (commonly known as ‘Yahoo-Yahoo’), and other social vices to renounce such activities and embrace peace.
“I urge the youths who are involved in all kinds of criminality in the State to lay down their arms, embrace peace, and choose the right paths.
“Drug abuse, cultism, internet fraud, popularly known as ‘Yahoo-Yahoo,’ and other social vices are a cankerworm I would never allow them to indulge in,” the governor declared, highlighting the administration’s zero-tolerance stance on such vices.
In a further show of commitment to youth development, Governor Alia unveiled additional initiatives aimed at creating sustainable opportunities for young people in Benue State.
He announced plans for some youths to participate in the United Nations (UN) Volunteer Scheme, a program the state government has collaborated with the UN to sponsor.
Furthermore, the administration is constructing a fashion hub designed to serve as a creative space where talent meets opportunity.
“This hub will not only encourage creativity but also create jobs with a view to fostering a new generation of fashion entrepreneurs from Benue,” the governor revealed, underscoring the holistic approach to youth empowerment.
Governor Alia’s administration has made youth development a cornerstone of its policy agenda, recognising that the growth and development of young people are essential to the broader development of Benue State.
“We understand that the development of our youth is a panacea for the development of Benue State. This is why we have embarked on several initiatives aimed at empowering you and creating opportunities for your growth,” Governor Alia concluded.
This partnership with Google and the array of supporting initiatives reflect the state government’s resolve to harness the potential of youths, transforming them into drivers of innovation and progress in the digital age.
