Abia State Governor Alex Otti has approved automatic employment for 50 outstanding graduates of the TechRise Cohort 2 programme into relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the state civil service.
The announcement was made at the graduation ceremony of 849 young people who completed a three‑month intensive training in cutting‑edge digital skills. Otti explained that the employment is subject to beneficiaries presenting the required documentation.
“I have lifted the embargo to employ 50 of them. Once that exercise is completed, the embargo comes back,” he said.
The governor disclosed that 1,359 persons have successfully completed the TechRise programme in the past year, forming the critical manpower needed to drive Abia’s digital transformation agenda.
He emphasised that the initiative was designed to create an elite corps of IT solution providers to advance the state’s development goals.
Digital Transformation, Incentives, and Youth Empowerment
Governor Otti highlighted ongoing investments in broadband expansion, noting that the Umuahia dedicated internet access and wide area network programme is now fully operational across government establishments.
He also cited the Abia State DUCT Infrastructure Development Project in Aba as part of efforts to make every community economically functional.
To support graduands, Otti approved ₦50,000 each as a Christmas package, while prize‑winning participants received ₦100,000.
He directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to provide transportation support for all graduands to their respective local government headquarters.
A minute of silence was observed for Princewill Ogbonnia, a trainee who died shortly before the ceremony. The governor extended condolences to his family.
Commissioners and senior officials praised Otti’s commitment to youth development, noting that the programme instilled not only ICT skills but also leadership, discipline, and resilience.
The CEO of Learn Factory, Chibueze Ukaegbu, applauded the governor’s dedication to ICT growth, while graduand Chinwemeri Benjamin thanked him for laptops and other support, saying the training would foster economic independence.
The event featured testimonials from Cohort 1 graduates, including Charles Ikechukwu, who developed a waste‑to‑wealth application, and Stephen Uche Onyegbulam, whose team created an app to help stranded motorists locate nearby mechanics.
Certificates were presented to all graduands.
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