100 pioneer young learners have graduated from the ThriveAbia initiative programme, a brainchild of the Abia state government.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony of the maiden cohort of ThriveAbia at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia on Saturday, October 10, 2026, Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, charged the 100 pioneer graduates to use the skills they have acquired to create opportunities, mentor other young people and contribute to the economic development of the state.
Governor Otti represented by the Secretary to the State Government Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole, described the graduates as potential innovators, entrepreneurs, problem-solvers and ambassadors of a new Abia, noting that the programme reflects his administration’s commitment to investing in human capital as a foundation for sustainable development.
“The knowledge you have acquired must not end with you. Each of you must become a multiplier of opportunities.
“Imagine if each of you trains or mentors just 10 other young people, that would mean what, 1,000 additional young people empowered through this maiden cohort alone. And if this 1,000 empower others, the possibility becomes enormous.
“I’m therefore, challenging you to return to your communities to share your knowledge, mentor others and develop solutions to the challenges around you. Let the impact of this programme be felt across all the 17 local governments areas of Abia State,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti said that his administration considers investment in human capital not as an expenditure, but as an investment in Abia’s future prosperity. He said, while his government respects every one’s freedom to pursuit opportunities wherever they exists, his vision is to make Abia a place where young people can have successful careers.
“Today, a software engineer in Umuahia can work for a company in London or in US. A graphic designer in Aba can serve clients in New York. A digital entrepreneur in Ohafia can provide solutions across Africa.
“Technology has made the world a global village, a global market place and Abia must take its rightful place in that marketplace. My message is simple. Stay, build, innovate and thrive.
“Our investments in infrastructure, education, and institutional reforms, and economic development are interconnected elements of our vision to make Abia a competitive and prosperous state,” Gov. Otti stated.
In his welcome speech, the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. David Kalu, said ThriveAbia was deliberately designed to go beyond conventional training by incorporating mentorship to help participants develop critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and professional skills required in real-world work environments.
“Our objective was not simply to produce trainees. Our objective was to produce talent,” he said, adding that the graduation of the first cohort demonstrates the importance of focusing government programmes on measurable outcomes.
He disclosed that one of the areas that received considerable attention was the creation of pathways linking training to practical work experience, which informed the initiation of a pilot internship programme with a global cybersecurity and technology company operating across several emerging technology fields.
He explained that the initiative involved engagement with companies, collection of participants’ curricula vitae, candidate screening, interview follow-ups and the tracking of placement progress to help qualified beneficiaries access internship opportunities.
The commissioner urged the graduating students to maximise the opportunities extended to them by the government as well as enjoined them to train others, assuring that the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation would continue to celebrate successes and strengthen initiatives that connect young people to meaningful economic opportunities.
He further reminded the graduates that ThriveAbia was designed around a train-the-trainer model, which required beneficiaries to become multipliers by supporting, mentoring and guiding subsequent participants.
According to him, the success of future cohorts would depend partly on the leadership, commitment and willingness of the pioneer graduates to share their knowledge and experience with others.
He urged them to demonstrate the skills they had acquired, sustain the discipline developed during the programme, apply the lessons gained through mentorship and maximise opportunities available to them.
Also, one of the implementation partners and co-founder of Tech Excentric and Curate, Mr. Gilbert Igwe said the essence of the programme, is to empower the youths in tech and for them to train others.
He said he was glad that the participants have been trained and empowered to be able to earn not just in local currencies but foreign too.
“I’m very grateful because we have succeeded in demonstrating that when government partners with the right private organisations, success is inevitable.
“And as you can see, over 50% of these candidates today are already earning in Dollars, they’re employed, they’re earning. And a particular thing that also excites me is that they are training others,” Igwe stated.
In their various testimonies, some of the participants, including a graduate of Pharmacy Mr. Emmanuel Bright Ijioma, a Biochemist Mr. Okwu Godwin Emeka, Elizabeth Okwara among others, who were full of excitement thanked Governor Otti for the opportunity provided for them and said they can now make use of many technological tools to improve on their works.
They noted that the trainers were intentional in mentorship and tech skills acquisition, affirming that they have already started getting connections to remote jobs as the knowledge they have acquired have been impactful. They pleaded with the Governor to allow ThriveAbia to continue to that other young people would benefit too.
The ceremony which attracted some top government officials saw the graduands make various presentations of knowledge they have acquired and receiving their certificates.
