The Attah Igala and Chairman of the Kogi State Council of Traditional Rulers, Mathew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche Akpa II, has commended the growing investments in digital technology by community and diaspora organisations. He urged government at all levels and well-meaning individuals to intensify support for youth empowerment to build a stronger Nigerian future.
Call for Honest Careers in IT
Speaking through the Ejeh Dekina, Dr Usman Obaje, OON, at the inaugural induction ceremony of the Ajatek Kogi Youth-in-Tech 1.0 Fellows held at the weekend in Anyigba, the traditional ruler invoked royal blessings on the graduating cohort sponsored by the Igala Association USA. He urged young people and communities to embrace honest careers in information technology, noting that digital skills remain critical for relevance in today’s technology-driven global economy. According to him, youths must position themselves as positive change agents through innovation, discipline, and continuous learning.
Programme Ambassadors and Expansion Plans
The Chief Executive Officer of Ajatek Multisolutions and implementing partner of the programme, Anthony James Aliduh, charged the graduating fellows to remain exemplary ambassadors of the initiative. He stressed that Kogi youths must be known for innovation and productivity rather than social vices. He also announced plans to expand the “Kogi Youth-in-Tech Collaborative Programme” across the state.
Diaspora Support and Training
In her remarks, the President of Igala Association USA, Ms Teresa Edoja, congratulated the 40 participants drawn from nine local government areas in Kogi East who completed the eight-week intensive IT bootcamp. She noted that the beneficiaries were trained in digital soft skills and provided with laptops and internet routers to support their continued learning. She urged them to represent the programme positively and promote ethical use of information technology and artificial intelligence globally.
Global Collaboration for Digital Economy
The Public Relations Officer of Igala Association USA, Dr Raphael Agbali, described the initiative as a product of global collaboration between the Igala diaspora, corporate partners including MTN, Ajatek’s technical expertise, and mentorship from professionals of Kogi origin in the global digital ecosystem. He added that the programme marks the beginning of a broader effort to position Kogi State at the centre of the global digital and artificial intelligence economy.
