Beneficiaries and facilitators of Abia Techrise programme, a digital empowerment initiative sponsored by the Dr Alex Otti administration have undertaken a solidarity cum sensitisation rally across the streets of Aba, to appreciate the Governor for empowering them and sensitise the people on the need to obtain their PVCS ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing journalists during the exercise, the founder LearnFactory Nigeria and Coordinator of the Abia Techrise Programme, Engr. Chibueze Ukaegbu said that they embarked on the rally despite the downpour to enjoin the people to get their PVCS and to be part of the re-election bid of Governor Otti.
According to him, the Techrise Programme had equipped participants with 21st-century digital skills and improved their employability in Nigeria and beyond.
“The essence of this rally is to sensitise Abia residents on the need to obtain their PVCs ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
“We also want to thank the Governor for the Techrise initiative because good governance deserves continuity.
“We thank Governor Alex Otti for believing in us and providing a platform for us to acquire 21st-century digital skills.
“The training has given us the opportunity to acquire skills that will make us relevant players in the emerging global economy driven by technology,” Engr. Ukaegbu stated.
Engr. Ukaegbu, who said that each beneficiary received world-class training and a laptop to support learning and career development, noted that Governor Alex Otti has done exceptionally well in various sectors of the economy and has continued to empower the youths in digital skills and other conventional means as to be self reliant and job creators instead of job seekers.
He noted that Governor Otti has affected lives positively, hence, almost 1,500 youths who have gone through the Techrise Programme participated in the solidarity walk tagged, “Abia Techrise Alumni Homecoming and Community Appreciation Walk.
He made it clear that Governor Otti, who has changed the narratives in governance deserves a second term in office.
A facilitator, Dr Alfred Nwoke, said he participated in the first cohort as a trainee but now trains others under the programme.
“I was part of Cohort One, but today I am a facilitator in the Tech Rise programme. I express my gratitude to the Abia State Government under the leadership of Gov. Alex Otti, because through this programme, the government has changed the narrative for youths in Abia.
“We assure the government of our continued support for its programmes and policies,” Nwoke stated.
Baring their minds some beneficiaries representing various Cohorts including Miss Ifeanyi Kalu, Mr Ozoemena Amamba and others said they were happy to have been selected out of the over one hundred thousand people that applied for the Techrise Programme, assuring that they would use the skills gained to improve their living standards as well as impact on the lives of others.
They appreciated the fact that the initiative has empowered them for opportunities in the global digital economy and thanked the Governor for his numerous youth empowerment programmes which have given the youths irrespective of state of origin a sense of belonging, noting that they have made the re-election of Governor Alex Otti their topmost priority.
Miss Ifeanyi Kalu, in particular , who was a member of Cohort 3 trained in User Interface/User Explorer design, expressed appreciation to the state government for the opportunity.
“I am grateful to the governor and the Abia State Government for giving me the opportunity to acquire relevant digital skills,” Kalu said.
For Mr Ozoemena Amamba, who participated in Cohort 2, and trained in Digital Art and 3D Animation, said that the programme had transformed his life.
“I am happy to be here because the training has made me self-reliant and now I own a shop where I create animations and I can proudly describe myself as an entrepreneur. Also through the skills I acquired, I am also empowering other people.
“We are waiting to show our appreciation in the 2027 elections by using our PVCs, and we encourage everyone to get theirs,” he said.
