December 4, 2021

The President/CEO, Digital Bridge Institute, Professor Mohammed Ajiya, has stated that the NCC-sponsored Youth Intervention Programme tagged “Advanced Digital Skills Training” which held in Kano was to harness the youth’s intellectual and innovative strength and to empower them to be future employers of labour.

“The laptop, MiFi for internet connection and stipend given to you is to enable you start – up your respective businesses. You are expected to benefit yourselves, your families, communities, and the nation from this intervention”,  Prof. Ajiya, a staunch believer and supporter of youth empowerment,   said.

The Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Office for Developing Indigenous Telecommunication Sector (NODITS) commemorated  the graduation of the first set of students from the programme.

According to the Emir of Bichi, who graced the occasion of the closing ceremony of the two-week Practical Intensive training held at the Kano Learning Centre of Digital Bridge Institute, the programme is yet another milestone in his Emirate’s vision to improve the human capacity of the youth in Bichi Emirate and environs through the well targeted digital skill acquisition initiative.

“We are privileged to enjoy the support of our distinguished and committed partners in 9mobile and the NCC under Professor Umar Danbatta”, said the Emir of Bichi.

“This training has equipped participants with practical skills in Digital Literacy and Office Productivity Tools, Information and Cyber Security, Mobile Phone Repairs, Solar Energy Systems Installation, Graphics Design, Creative Media Production, Digital Marketing and Online Freelancing, and Web Development”, said the Emir.

“With the training received, these graduates will immediately be able to deploy their skills to make difference in their lives, families, and communities. I urge all graduates to make best use of this training they have received to improve themselves”, the Emir added.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, acknowledged the effort of the Bichi Emirate, under the leadership of his Royal Highness, the Emir of Bichi for conceiving the Digital Bichi Initiative and to Advancing Digital Opportunities Foundation (ADOF) for facilitating the trainings, 9Mobile for providing SIM cards and 12 months’ worth of data for internet connectivity to each of the graduates, to DBI for designing and providing practical skills training, trainers and facilities as well as the NCC for its sponsorship and for providing Laptop for each of the participants to help them towards being independent and becoming self-employed which is the expected outcome of the training.

“This event today is in fulfillment of the pledge I made in Bichi during the coronation of his royal highness, the Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero to provide additional practical training for the maiden graduates of the Bichi Emirates Education and Entrepreneurship Initiative, therefore to that effect, we have accommodated 60 graduands for two weeks in this DBI facility here in Kano and have provided them practical skills training”, Prof. Danbatta said.

According to the EVC, the NCC shall continue its engagement through creative and wide-reaching efforts such as this, with the Bichi Emirate, the ADOF and 9Mobile, as well as its other partners.

“All avenues for engagement including through NODITS, USPF, DBI and others at the disposal of the Commission shall be made available for future collaboration”, the EVC NCC added.