A leading Digital Economy Academy in Ibadan, Gritford has held a Digital Skill Training and Empowerment Project (DSTEP) business pitching competition and cohort 2 matriculation to foster employability.
The event which was held on Friday at the Gritford learning Centre in Ibadan is aimed at promoting digital entrepreneurship.
Speaking, Chief Executive Officer, DSTEP, Mobolaji Ajani explained that the initiative is meant to use digital skill to uplift people to create job.
Ajani stated that the initiative is organised in collaboration with the world bank and the federal Ministry of Education, IDEAS Project.
Adding that the initiative is crucial in empowering individuals in a bid to contribute positively to society through the acquisition of digital skills and entrepreneurial acumen.
He further stated that the training courses focused on two sponsored areas, including, digital marketing and CRM, and digital day trading, both designed to foster employability .
While he noted that the organisation had trained 1,000 Nigerians while 605 trainees had graduated in the first cohort of the initiative.
Ajani however said that 60 percent of beneficiaries of the initiative are women while 5 percentage of the beneficiaries are people living with disability.
“Today is the flag off of Batch 2 trainees and grand finale of our DSTEP Launchpad Business Pitching Competition.
“A lot of people want to transit in to digital Economy but are afraid of code, so we focus on zero code , digital skill
“This initiative is crucial in empowering individuals to contribute positively to society through the acquisition of digital skills and entrepreneurial acumen”, he said .
Also speaking, National Coordinator, IDEAS Project, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Blessing Ogwu , stated that the initiative. is aimed at reducing unemployment and poverty rate in the country .
She added that the project which is a project by the federal Ministry of Education is expected to train 700 Nigerians on digital skills
Ogwu who was represented by the Consultant , IDEAS Project , Professor Ndiyo Ndem noted that beneficiaries of the initiative will make young people become more useful and contribute to digital economy of the country.
Adding that the initiative will go a long way in creating employment opportunities for Nigerians .
One of the beneficiaries, Iyanuoluwapo Folarin appreciate the organisers of the initiative for the gesture.
Folarin who is one of the physically impaired beneficiaries of the project stated )d-that she had acquired skills which will be of benefit to her .
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