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Senator Hope Uzodinma

Project 774- Uzodimma extols FG as 5 Imo LGAs’ enjoys high speed internet connectivity.

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Imo State Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma has commended the Federal Government over the implementation of the pilot phase of the local governments digital connectivity project in Imo State. Governor Uzodinma lauded the speed with which the pilot project was implemented noting that the initiative would enhance efficient governance at local government level and boost public service delivery thereby stimulating socio-economic development at the grassroots level. The pilot phase of the project has already been implemented in five Local Government Areas in the state. The Local governments are: Ikeduru, Oru East, Isu, Oguta and Ehime Mbano. The implementation of the project in the remaining 22 local governments in the state would take place in the next three months when the second phase takes off. Governor Uzodinma’s commendation is contained in a statement made available to the press, at the weekend, by Imo State Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr Chimezie Amadi. The Federal Government’s digital connectivity project implemented by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy is aimed at connecting all the 774 local governments in the country to the single national digital network through fiber infrastructure and satellite technology. The essence of the project is to enable local government’s secretariats have access to digital public infrastructure thereby bridging inherent digital gaps better the local governments and the other two tiers of government. Governor Uzodinma expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for accomplishing Project 774 in five Local governments in the state noting that the project would reinforce his Imo Digital Economy Agenda designed to ensure the development of a robust Imo digitalization process whereby communities, institutions and business clusters would have enormous and uninterrupted access to the digital services . Imo Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr Chimezie Amadi assured that his Ministry would deepen the gains of Project 774 in the state by partnering with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to fast-track Governor Uzodinma’s connected Imo Initiative which aims at ensuring ubiquitous broadband connectivity across all communities in Imo. Noting that Governor Uzodinma is leading digital revolution in the state, making Imo to be ahead of other states in the digital space, he reassured of the preparedness of his Ministry to embrace any innovative initiative geared towards making Imo digitally empowered, accessible and efficient. The Directors of Administration and General Services of the five local governments in the state where the first phase of the project has been executed recounted the gains the project has yielded in their various local governments since implementation. Mrs Ngozi Chucks-Osuji of Ehime Mbano and Chief Bede Ugboaja, Isu noted that communications and local security had improved since the advent of the project, Sir Phil Manu, Ikeduru and Mr. Victor Ayozie, Oguta disclosed that the project had engendered proficiency and productivity in local government administration. Reporting: Sandra Opara Public Relations Officer

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Ministry Of Digital Economy/ E-Government In Imo: Dr.Chimezie Amadi’s Reappointment By Governor Uzodimma Extolled

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The Executive Governor of Imo State, Sen.Hope Uzodimma, has earned widespread commendation for his astute decision to reappoint Hon.Dr.Chimezie Paulinus Amadi, as the Commissioner for Digital Economy & E-Government. Imo residents have lauded the governor’s wisdom in extending Dr.Amadi’s service until the conclusion of his second term. ThePressman Newspaper and various news outlets in Owerri closely observed Dr.Chimezie’s noteworthy accomplishments during his tenure as the Digital Commissioner. Governor Uzodimma’s creation of the Ministry and the subsequent appointment of Dr.Amadi as the Pioneer Commissioner were driven by the latter’s extensive expertise in the digital realm. Dr.Amadi’s unwavering commitment and focused leadership have brought immense benefits to the people of Imo State, particularly the youth. The “SkillUpImoProject,” under Dr.Paulinus’s guidance, stands as a digital empowerment initiative, providing valuable skills and knowledge to the state’s young population. Imo residents express their satisfaction with Dr.Amadi’s pioneering role in the Ministry, setting a high standard for the overall progress of the state. There is optimism among Imolites that Dr.Amadi, with his wisdom and understanding, will continue to deliver positive outcomes for the state. The impact of Dr.Amadi’s initiatives is evident, with numerous youth actively engaging in online opportunities and capitalizing on the digital skills acquired through SkillUpImoProject. As one set of youths benefits from the training, another batch is eagerly partaking in skill-building activities, highlighting the ongoing success and growth of the program under Dr.Amadi’s stewardship.

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Senator Hope Uzodinma and Dr Chimezie Anadi

Digital language for Imo youths – MDEEG

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When I was much younger, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late political sage, in a moment of political flamboyance and philosophical exactitude, had said life was a “continuum.” It was the time when children still rushed to their dictionaries searching for words that could build up their vocabularies. Oh, could he be talking about life stretching into the future indeterminately and without any break or what some may call interregnum? Vocabulary! Young men of yore liked to acquire them and throw them around like bullets by way of demonstrating their bombastic grammatical acquisition. Growing up, sustainability has joined my little collection. In language, there is always something for the age. Sustainable development goals could be appropriated now by the United Nations, but my little flirtation with the word is more of project, programme or policy development, nurtured or supported to endure the vicissitudes of a fragile state. Unlike in politics where the winner takes all and everything comes to a screeching, shameful halt once he exits office. Or in moments of interregnum! Could this be the reason I was excited last week seeing some images coming out of Imo State? It was quite exciting for me to see that the SkillUpImo project has not been subjected to the opprobrium of an interregnum or endured a crushing hiatus that could have a telling effect on a well-thought-out programme with which Governor Hope Uzodinma hopes to lure some youths away from the streets and crime and imbue them with tech skills for a better future, even for a better state and country. In Imo State, interregnum has lost meaning or relevance. While yet to form a cabinet after an election victory, Governor Uzodinma, secured the partnership of global tech giant, Meta Incorporated, formerly Facebook, to train 5000 tech graduates on digital marketing on Meta social platforms of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, still using the enthusiastic commitment of former Commissioner of Digital Economy and E-Governance, Dr Chimezie Amadi. That is sustainability, that the importance of a cardinal programme of the State government was not allowed to flag. An official of the Nigerian tech partner of Meta, Innovation Growth (IG) Hub, Daniel Chinagozi,  told reporters that the training was one of the series lined up to support the government in its audacious effort to decongest the streets of restless youths and give them a meaningful living. The governor in his first tenure promoted an ambitious Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) 2022 – 2026, with one of its primary pillars being Digital Literacy and Skills Acquisition. Under the programme, the government planned to train 100,000 youths, women and people living with disabilities in core 21st-century skills in software development, blockchain, game development and other technical vocational skills. A smart move by the governor was to enlist Dr Amadi, a hard-core technocrat at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to champion his vision for a new Imo. It was like hitting the bullseye. Perhaps for the visible achievements of the programme and even more for the love of his people, the governor has encouraged Amadi to pursue his state’s tech vision even in an ordinary capacity. The efforts of the state in this respect are measurable. The training programme provided Amadi with an auspicious opportunity to give a situation report. Speaking on Channels Television, last week, Amadi informed viewers that through the SkillUpImo project which is about a year old, the governor has trained exactly 20,000 youths in Cohorts 1 and  2 in different genres of tech application, out of which 5,000 were picked for further training by tech partners, IG Hub, representing Meta in Nigeria. On the choice of Meta, Amadi explained that the company builds its innovation around people and some of these technologies are specially suited for the promotion of MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises), the sort of small businesses sprouting in different parts of the state, a number of them promoted by tech graduates of the ImoSkillUp project. “Meta through IG Hub is working with us to train digital marketing graduates from Cohort 1 and 2 by sharpening their knowledge and deepening their skills in using the Meta family of Apps to promote small businesses. Some of them have opted to set up their ventures instead of searching for paid employment,” he said. Some benefits are already very noticeable, according to the former Commissioner. “The good thing happening in Imo is the sporadic growth of small businesses. Some companies come to Imo State in search of tech talents to employ. Imo State is becoming a net exporter of tech talents to other parts of the country and even to the global community,” Amadi said. Until recently, Imo State resonated mostly in ugly situations, either insecurity or mugging of Labour leaders. The governor has said his tech training drive for the youths is to stir them away from being cheap recruits for troublemakers. And Amadi would tell this writer that there is nobody who is gainfully employed that will want to spill his blood on the street. Does Uzodinma’s tech plan have the fuel boosters to accelerate to 2026 and achieve its goals without political distractions?  Will it achieve its training target of 100,000  and make Imo a digitally driven state – E-Government, connected ministries, connected cities, driven on e-commerce that is powered by a state-supported broadband buildout? Time, they say, will tell. From afar, one can say Governor Uzodinma has got something good going in Imo State. On tech training for Imo youths, he has scaled the rubicon while shaming a discouraging interregnum offered by the absence of a cabinet, to press the accelerator of his best offering to the Imo people.

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Senator Hope Uzodinma and Dr Chimezie Anadi

UZODINMA’S DIGITAL CORONETS

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Last month, Imo took an enviable throttlehold on the nation’s digital and e-government space. It fantastically won the best state award on Information Communication Technology human capacity development instituted by the Presidency through its Bureau of Public Service Reforms. Besides, the State Commissioner in charge of the Ministry of Digital Economy and e-Government, Dr Chimezie Amadi was also honoured with Distinguished Govtech Trailblazers Award for his pioneering role in developing human capital in the digital economy The two awards, the first of their kind, having just made their debut were essentially initiated to motivate state goverments, other public institutions and public servants to advance the reform and remake of the public service for enhanced service delivery through digital transformation. The far-reaching and distinctive success recorded by SkillupImo, Governor Hope Uzodinma’s pet project attracted the awards. Apart from the two awards bagged last month in Abuja, the SkillupImo project has over the months eminently shown to be a signature award spinner. Only in July this year both Governor Uzodinma and Dr Amadi were adored in Lagos with awards on account of the huge success that has trailed the high-tech pet scheme Many believe that these awards are revolutionary in many ways. One, they have manifestly redrafted Imo into the national hall of fame as one of the key successful states in the country especially in the area of globalized digital sector. Two, the awards have in no small way put the administration of Senator Hope Uzodinma on a profoundly positive national burner thereby reinforcing the government’s success story. Three, the awards have potentially and largely brightened the Imo narratives, government reputation and public perception Dr Amadi, Imo Commissioner for Digital Economy and e-Government who is on the driver’s seat of the scheme corroborates: “These remarkable achievements are testaments to the unwavering dedication, innovations and passion that flow through the veins of our great state. Imo is shinning bright on the national stage and it’s an incredible moment of pride for all of us”. Dr. Amadi is right. These awards are vivid manifestations of the achievements of Governor Uzodinma in the state. They not only boost the government’s positive image but essentially reinforce its pride at the national front However, SkillupImo which provided the basis for the awards is one of Governor Uzodinma’s major strides to domesticate digital economy in Imo in order to develop human capital options. The framework according to the Commissioner is to create digital enterpreneurs and impresarios desired to scale down unemployment rate and improve the state economy. In concept, strategic plan, content and management shrewdness, the scheme is evidently well-resourced and results oriented. This perhaps accounts for the chain of attainments, awards and honours the scheme has inherently attracted to the state. Describing the scheme as pillar of strength, Governor Uzodinma’s vision is to use the scheme to transform the state digitally by harnessing the power of technology to drive the economy, service, progress and development In Quantifiable and concrete terms, the mission of Governor Uzodinma noted Dr Amadi is to use the scheme to “upskill, reskill and train 300,000 Imo youths to acquire the 4th Industrial Revolution expertise needed to fit into the evolving digital world”. The intrinsic goal apparently is to make Imo youths and indeed Imolites the centre-point of digitalization towards stimulating all-inclusive and proactive approach in the use of technology in the state. Experts believe that this innovative approach will not only make Imo the technology hub of the nation but provoke wealth creation desirable for Imo economic growth The Indian and Silicon Valley in Northern California, US experiences are germane here. Both are the known centres of digitalization and innovation in the world. They achieved it through well-planned high-tech and innovation roadmap as Governor Uzodinma has currently set out in the state. India, for instance commenced its digital program in 2015. Akin to Imo India focused on transforming the country into a digitally empowered society and a knowledge-based economy. Today, it’s a huge success story Silicon Valley however has a longer history than India. But then government’s vision, roadmap and positive regulations as being witnessed at present in Imo made Silicon Valley world’s largest high-tech destination. It’s reputed to have the leading start-up ecosystem in digital ventures and innovations globally and employed about a million information technology workers With proper planning, robust navigation and functional execution the Indian and Silicon Valley examples can ultimately be replicated in Imo. Interestingly, the Commissioner noted that the digital scheme would be undertaken in phases for efficiency and enhanced results. No fewer than 20,000 Imo youths according to him have so far passed through the programme designed to empower the participants and Imolites digitally for greater wealth creation and improved livelihoods

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40,000 Imo youths set for SkillUpImo Cohort Three

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By Innocent Anoruo The SkillUpImo Project of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, will on November 4, 2023, admit 40,000 Imo youths as the Cohort Three kicks off. At the event, which will hold at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, participants are expected to go home with startup kits. Cohort 1 of the project, which is under the state’s Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Governance, trained, graduated and equipped 5,000 youths, while Cohort 2 has 15,000. Aside from the previous five trophies won across the country, technology-driven empowerment scheme was also nominated as the ‘Most Digitally-Compliant State’ award due to the governor’s “excellent strides in the Information Technology industry.” In July, this year, courtesy of SkillUpImo, the governor and his Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Governance, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, won two awards at the Titans of Tech event in Lagos. Earlier this October, the ministry won the ‘Best State MDA in ICT Human Capacity Development’ and the commissioner bagged the ‘Distinguished GOVtech Trailblazers’ award at the inaugural edition of Nigeria Govtech Public Service Awards.

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Gov. Hope Uzodinma

SkillUpImo wins another award, targets more

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By Innocent Anoruo IMO State government is raking in awards through its SkillUpImo project supervised by the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government.Through the same SkillUpImo, the state also targets another award, this week, the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, told The Guardian.The state was honoured at the 2023 Startup Awards held in Port Harcourt, at the weekend, for the feat by the project.Late July, this year, Governor Hope Uzodimma and the commissioner were honoured in the Titans of Tech Awards in Lagos through the project.The Startup Awards, a body renowned for recognizing and celebrating the most innovative startups, organizations, and institutions, acknowledged the transformative impact of SkillupImo in its decision.Competing with numerous other esteemed nominees, the win for SkillupImo underscores the monumental strides the initiative has made in just a year.Receiving the awards in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the commissioner, who was represented by Prisca Amaefule, said: “This recognition reaffirms our commitment to the digital transformation of Imo State. SkillUpImo is not just an initiative; it is a movement towards a more inclusive, sustainable and tech-driven future.“We dedicate this award to our digital governor, Uzodimma, for birthing this great initiative, the relentless efforts of our team, the tireless entrepreneurs of our state and the SkillupImo community.”SkillUpImo has successfully trained and empowered over 20,000 youths in Imo. This training has not only enhanced their employability but has also spurred entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.The impact of SkillUpImo’s programmes has radiated beyond Imo, benefiting the entire South East and South-South regions. The graduates have gone on to create startups, contribute to the digital economy and inspire others to acquire digital skills.

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UZODINMA GRADUATES 15,000 YOUTHS FROM SKILLUPIMO COHORT 2.

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 MINISTRY OF DIGITAL ECONOMY AND E- GOVERNMENT. Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State on Wednesday, September 27th 2023 graduated the 15,000 Cohort 2 Skillupimo students at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.  The SkillupImo Project is the premier digital empowerment programme of H.E Dist. Senator Hope Uzodinma’s administration targeted at up-skilling, re-skilling and training 300,000 Imo youths to acquire the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) skill sets needed to align and fit into the evolving digital world. 5,000 Imolites had earlier graduated from the programme, thus bringing the total number of graduates to 20,000 This initiative to infuse Imo youths with digital skills is in line with the Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) 2022 to 2026 with the aim of making Imo the digital skills hubs of Africa and curbing the menace of unemployment and insecurity. The Agenda is also in sync with the Federal Government’s National Digital Economy Policy & Strategy (NDEPS), 2020-203 “My dear future technology tycoons, the Skill-Up Imo project means the world to me, and I desire to see you succeed. To me, Skill-Up Imo is the investment of our administration in a future that has already arrived. I see an array of opportunities in the digital sphere that if exploited, will give Imo the competitive advantage among the comity of states affording us the enviable status of the technology hub of the country. “My dear young ones, in this world of technology, there is no room for laxity, arms folding, or aimless slumber. The world has virtually been reduced to a small village that sits on the palm of your hand. If ever the maxim ‘your destiny is in your hands’ were true, it is now. I urge you to get up and maximize this opportunity for destiny favours the diligent” said the Governor in his address. He added that Imo has continued to record high graduate employment through SkillupImo with tech-based companies such as Zinox Technologies Ltd, Konga Online Ltd, Wakanow.com etc, whilst calling on all the graduates to make the best use of the skills learnt towards transforming Imo State and, by extension, the entire country into a bedrock of technological advancement in Africa. “Let me also assure you all that we shall not relent in our efforts towards making the quality of the Programme a world-class standard by strengthening our collaborative partnerships with global tech giants like Microsoft, CISCO and Hauwei”, he stated. In furtherance of this, I am glad to inform you that we already have an understanding with some European and Canadian Companies. Through this understanding, Companies in these countries have agreed to send us a list of specific digital skills they require to service their production in their home countries and requested us to train our youths in these specified skills. He announced that the Cohort III batch of the Skill-Up Imo programme which will commence soon will train another set of Forty Thousand (40,000) youths in digital skills. At the event, the Chairman of Zinox Technologies Ltd, Mr. Leo- Stan Ekeh challenged the 15,000 youths who graduated from the Cohort 2 Skill-Up Imo project to take advantage of the training they have acquired to be what God says they should be. “I am not a politician. But I can tell you this is not politics. I come from here, from one remote community here in Imo State. If I was given an opportunity like this many years ago, I would have been one of the five richest men in the world. Nobody has done what Governor Hope Uzodimma is doing in Imo,” Mr. Ekeh whose Zinox Technologies Ltd dominates the market in Africa said. Mr. Ekeh also advised the families of the lucky graduates to commit Governor Uzodimma in their prayers so that God will continue to use him to improve on the lives of the people. The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani in his remarks congratulated Governor Uzodimma for taking such bold step to impact on the lives of the youths. Dr. Tijani said going by what he has seen, Imo State is emerging as the digital headquarters of Nigeria. He said that the Governor can conveniently be referred to as a professor in digital affairs. The Minister who admonished the graduates not to misuse the opportunity which has been given to them and promised that his ministry will partner with the Governor and government on all areas that concern the SkillupImo project Earlier in his welcome address, the Imo State Commissioner for Digital Economy and E- Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi thanked Governor Uzodimma for his investment in the youths. He reminded the audience that in the history of Nigeria, no Governor or government has invested as much as Governor Uzodimma in one single swoop for a graduation programme like the one under review. ’’ SkillupImo has not just successfully empowered youths with essential digital skills and tools enabling them to access greater job opportunities and improved their livelihood but we have also served as a model and inspiration for other States” stated Amadi. He added that the graduates will not forget Governor Uzodimma in a hurry. Some of the graduates who gave testimonies of their experiences regarding the programme on behalf of their colleagues, expressed how their lives had changed while appealing to the Governor to ensure the sustainability of the project. The graduates were handed over  HP brand new laptop to enable them practice their skills The event was attended by many dignitaries including the wife of the Governor, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma, the Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, the Minister of States, Labour and Employment, Rt. Hon Nkiruka Onyejiocha, the Director General of South East Governors Forum, Sen. Uche Ekwunife, the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Chike Olemgbe, the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Theresa Chikeka, Former I.N.E.C chairman, Dr. Maurice Iwu among others

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UZODINMA SET TO GRADUATE 15,000 YOUTHS FROM COHORT 2

UZODINMA SET TO GRADUATE 15,000 YOUTHS FROM COHORT 2

Leave a Comment / Senator Hope Uzodinma /

GOVERNORS, MINISTERS, DIPLOMATS SET TO GRACE CEREMONY MINISTRY OF DIGITALECONOMY AND E-GOVERNMENT Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State will on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, gather governors, ministers and members of the diplomatic corps at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, by 11am for the graduation of 15,000 youths of Imo and beyond from Cohort 2 of the SkillUpImo Project. Imo Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, noted that the project is the premier digital empowerment programme initiated by the governor to train and equip Imo youths with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skillset. On February 22, 2023, the governor had graduated 5,000 youths trained in different digital skills such as front-end and back-end development, digital marketing, cyber security, data analytics, content creation, User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) design, graphics design, tracking engineering, phone repairs and virtual assistance. “Cohort 2, which started on May 4, 2023 trained 15,000 youths in those different knowledge areas, and a lot of them have, today, launched their own startups, created their own digital ventures. A lot of them also have already been employed by tech companies like Zinox, Konga, WakaNow and other digital-driven businesses in and outside Imo. “This is in line with His Excellency’s Shared Prosperity mandate to ensure that tech is leveraged in solving youth unemployment in the state,” Dr. Amadi said. Preparatory to Wednesday’s graduation, the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government is organising a tech walk, where all the graduands of Cohorts 1 and 2 will come out en masse for a sensitisation walk across Owerri to create awareness on digital adoption, digital literacy and skills. Dignitaries expected at the event are governors of Ebonyi and Cross River states, Minister of Sports Development, Minister of State, Labour and Employment and Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy will be Special Guest of Honour. Also to grace the occasion are the British High Commission, Canadian High Commission, Embassy of Germany and the Chairman of Zinox Technologies, Leo Stan Ekeh. The commissioner disclosed that the 3R Digital Learning Centre at the ministry has been completed with state-of-the-art digital equipment to support qualitative digital teaching and learning, awaiting commissioning for the commencement of Cohort 3 According to him, the centre will open a week after the graduation of Cohort 2.

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Uzodinma's Focused Leadership And lmo Digital Transformation

Uzodinma’s Focused Leadership And lmo Digital Transformation

Leave a Comment / Senator Hope Uzodinma /

By Chimezie Amadi. Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma,took the reins of government in the Eastern Heartland when I was still with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over three years ago When I first met him over a decade ago, his charming personality and rare leadership qualities endeared me to him. Uzodimma is a man with hallowed grace and a Midas touch. His most striking quality is his uncommon ability to think globally while acting locally, with exceptional street intelligence. Before he invited me to serve in his government, I had had the opportunity of working with him quietly at the background at strategic and operational levels. On his election as governor, in one of our discussions when he mooted the idea of running a tech-driven government and growing the Imo digital economy to diversify internal revenue generation drive, enhance job opportunities and tech diffusion in all sectors of the state’s economy. I immediately concluded that Imo is in a new deal and has gotten it right this time.This is because it takes a forward-looking leader and a revolutionary thinker to see the enormous benefits of a digital economy. Now, working close to him full time. I see a visionary and purposeful leader, generational thinker, game-changer, kind-hearted and good listener. I also discovered that he was highly underrated by people not close to him.When I took office. he demanded a policy thrust to encapsulate his digital agenda for the state and that gave rise to the development of the Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) 2022-2026.Uzodimma’s five-year agenda to digitize the state will stimulate digital revolution, trigger investments in smart infrastructure and birth a viral smart economy and a connected city state. The Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) 2022-2026 is anchored on six strategic pillars:Digital Literacy and Skill, Solid Infrastructure, Service Infrastructure, Advocacy, Monitoring and Evaluation, Collaboration and Partnership. It involves connecting the over 600 autonomous communities in the 27 local councils of the state to the Internet. The policy was conceptualized to harness the Information and Communication technology (ICT) potential, driving new solutions to developmental challenges, which would engender growth, essentially to foster competitiveness, enhance access to information and knowledge, as well as eradicate poverty and ensure social inclusion. Having boasted that he is not in Imo to joke, the governor has taken up various ambitious projects, including roads infrastructure and healthcare. The Owerri/Okigwe road, Owerri/Orlu road which have been completed, while Owerri/Mbaise road which is nearing completion, are visible testaments to his focused leadership.In his acceptance speech after his inauguration in 2020, the governor had promised, among others, to take Health For All (HEFA)to the 27 local councils, to strengthen existing primary healthcare workforce in the state, as well as rehabilitation, renovate and equip all dilapidated community health centres in the state. These have proved not to be empty promises, as civil servants in the state now enjoy free medical services. There is limited space to enumerate Uzodimma’s transformation agenda in Imo. But one that generations yet unborn will live to remember is the SkillUplmo Project. SkillUplmo is fashioned to position Imo state as the digital Hub of Africa, to birth a big Startup economy and connects Imo tech talents to the global gig economy. It has remained the biggest human capital developmental effort embarked upon by any state Government in modern times. In the Skilluplmo programme Cohort 1, Uzodimma trained and equipped 5,000 Imo youths with Industry 4.0 tech skills and startup kits to enable them ply trade anywhere in the world while another set of 15,000 Youths are currently being trained in basic, intermediate and advanced digital skills in the ongoing SkillupImo programme cohort 2. Prof.Mohammed Ajiya, the President/Chief Executive Officer of Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Abuja, an international centre for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) studies, captured the initiative in the following words: “The beauty of the digital economy is that you could be working for a company in America, Asia or Europe from the comfort of your homeSkillUpImo is one of those initiatives that target youths to prepare them for the digital economy space, which has contributed over 18 percent to the the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).” Many tech giants are already buying into the project,while academies and examination bodies are offering certifications. Small wonder the training centres have become beehives of activities, even on public holidays.Many youths from the South South and SouthWest geopolitical zones, as well as other states troop to the centres to enrol. The youths, mostly graduates of other fields, are being trained on basic digital skills like computer appreciation, phone repair,Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) installation, and car tracking. On intermediate digital skills, the youths are trained in digital marketing, graphics, video, photo editing and digital entrepreneurship. They are also trained in advanced digital skills such as cybersecurity, UI/UX, mobile app development, front-end and back-end development, blockchain technology, data analysis and project management. The initiative is part of the move to align Imo with the Federal Government’s objective of diversifying the economy as encapsulated in the National Digital Economy Policy’and Strategy(NDEPS)2020-2030.Interestingly, other ‘bigger’ states are copying the initiative, and Imo is happy to be the pioneer in the country.

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SkillUpImo: Sure, we are not in Imo to joke

SkillUpImo: Sure, we are not in Imo to joke

Leave a Comment / Imo Sate, Senator Hope Uzodinma /

When Governor Hope Uzodimma of ImoState, through his Chief Press Secretary(CPS) and Special Adviser (Media),Oguwike Nwachuku, started the now popular “we are not in Imo to joke” refrain, many dismissed it as one of those political statements from the ruling class. Three years down the line, the mantra has started resonating, to the extent of becoming a word on the marble, as the Shared Prosperity Administration in the Eastern Heartland takes on ambitious projects. One of those projects stood out: the SkillUplmoProject under the Ministry of Digital Economyand E-Government.In 2022, when Uzodimma mooted this project, he started shopping for a capable hand to realise it. His search landed him at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), where he poached a brilliant young man, Dr. ChimezieAmadi, on whose care he put the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government.Dr. Amadi, with over 20 years experience in telecommunications regulation, worked in several departments and served in various management committees at the NCC,chief of which is the National Broadband Committee,where he played a keyrole in the development of the Open Access Model for ubiquitous broadband deployment in Nigeria,which laid the foundation for the country’s bourgeoning digital economy. Coupled with his impressive educational attainment and experience, Amadi attended several training programmes in the prestigious United States Telecommunications Institute (USTTI) in Washington DC on ‘5G: The Path to Next Generation’;’Digital Transformation: Unlocking the Potential of IoT;’Enabling the Pull Value of Wireless Technology: Game Changing Technology For the Digital Age’and’Ethics Intelligence’among others. While in NCC, he was renowned for his initiatives that birthed a new paradigm in acado-industrial relations and the commission’s strategic institutional interventions in Nigeria’ tech startup ecosystem.According to the technocrat-turned-commissioner, the broader objectives of the project are to train 300,000 Imolites, over the next three years(100,000 each year), connect 60 per cent of the graduands to high-paying jobs, as well as empower 40 per cent to be bosses, becoming tech entrepreneurs and launching their own companies,among others. He noted that with the over-arching target of upskilling, reskilling and training of Imo youths to acquire the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) or Industry 4.0- skill-set needed to align with the digital age, the initiative is in line with the Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA), mapped to last from 2022 to 2026, to make the state the digital skills hub of Africa, thereby curbing unemployment. The training of the first batch of 100,000 youțhs is in progress. Each batch is divided into cohorts. As Cohort 1 graduated 5,000 techpreneurs in February 2023, plans for Cohort 2 started in earnest, almost immediately.Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof.Isa Pantami, was in Owerri as Special Guest of Honour at the graduation of 5,000 youths from Cohort 1. At the event, the minister described the programme as a shift from creating job employees to producing job creators. He encouraged Ndi Imo to leverage the digital revolution to build a knowledge-based economy like the United States of America, China and Japan,whose economies are driven more by digital innovation and economy than natural resources. Commending the governor, who he said deserves to be called “The Digital Governor”, Pantami challenged Imo youths to invest in critical thinking and take advantage of the programme for the emergence of another Mark Zuckerberg from the state. The scheme is poised to address one of the critical challenges with respect to youth unemployment, which the country is facing, as Imo has positioned itself to join the Federal Government to tackle unemployment through the digltal skill acquisition scheme. It is gratifying to the state government that the graduands who came in with little or no experience in digital technology have been equipped with skills in Digital Marketing, Web and App Development, Content Creation, Basic Data Analytics, Graphics Design, Phone and other digital devices repairs, programming, cyber security,among others and they are set to utilise the skills forvpersonal economic development and that of the society. Already partnering Zinox Group, the state plans to partner Cisco, Huawel, Microsoft and other techcompanies, as well as the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) for certification and value optimisation, as the programme will cover various shades of digitalskills. Unlike in Cohort 1, Pre-Admission Assessment was conducted for Cohort 2 to sieve the huge size of prospective trainees and ensure that only committed learners are admitted. Amadi said: “A lot was learnt in the course of managing Cohort 1, so introduction of Pre-Admission Assessment is one of the ways the government intends to improve the processes to meet the programme’s objective and achieveresults.” Going by the extent of work done with respect to process re-engineering, Cohort 2 promises an enhanced learning experience for both learners and instructors. Governor Uzodimma, the commissioner said, places high premium on the project due to its potential of achieving the triple objectives of positioning the state as the digital skills hub ofAfrica, tackling youth unemployment, as well as diversifying and building the state’s digital economy. For Cohort 2, admission of successful applicants started on March 29, while orientation for new intakes held on March31.Four additional learning centres have been established to complement the existing centres at the Ministry of Digital Economyand E-Government’s office, Imo State University (IMSU) and Alvan lkoku College of Education to enhance access to digitalskills learning for youths across the state.The additional centres include Federal Polytechnic,Nekede, Imo Polytechnic, Omuma, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, and K.O.Mbadiwe University,Ideato. For Uzodimma, more of such engaging programmes will help to eradicate banditry and other forms of insecurity in the state, as more youths will be gainfully engaged. Verily, the governor and his team are not in lmo to joke; they are for serious business of governance.

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