PLASU Partners Nigerians In Diaspora, Trains Over 300 Youths With ICT Skills

Over 300 youths drawn from across Nigeria, who have completed their tertiary education and have requisite ICT knowledge are currently undergoing a week-long training programme at Plateau State University, Bokkos.

The programmes was co-sponsored by Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Americas and Plateau State University Bokkos.

The programme, which will impart them with knowledge on Mobile Apps Development, Phyton Computer Language, Artificial Intelligence and Cyber security amongst others, has an assemblage of Diaspora experts made up of Professors and ICT experts from around the globe.

Declaring the training programme open, the Vice Chancellor of Plateau State University, Bokkos, Professor Matur Malau Bernard, commended Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of the state for granting express permission to the University to embark on the programme and the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Americas for pooling their resources and expertise together to give back to their fatherland in an ICT programme for the first time outside the Federal Capital of Nigeria.

Professor Matur used the occasion, on behalf of Plateau State Government, to appreciate the diasporans for the huge sacrifices made in the give back programme ,where he also revealed that the University has been granted approval in principle by the National Universities Commission to kickstart an online distance learning programme to enable Plateau citizens and other Nigerians who desire to update their knowledge do so from the comfort of their homes.

Speaking earlier, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Americas, Dr. Ezekiel Macham and the President of Zumunta Association, United States of America, Mr. Bitrus Sunday, said that the training programme was their own way of helping Nigeria grow.

They encouraged the participants to take full advantage of the training, which he said will open doors of opportunities for them both locally and internationally upon completion.

Other Diaspora ICT experts and facilitators, who spoke on the enormous benefits of the programme, urged the participants to see the exercise as a fulcrum that would propel them to higher pedestals of their careers.

In his remarks, Diaspora Officer, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abuja Boyiga Bunkaya, who represented the Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa, described the programme as a laudable initiative and commended both the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Americas and Plateau State University Bokkos for facilitating the programme, which he said has enormous benefits for the youth.

He stated that the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization has continued to serve as a bridge between Nigerians outside the shores of the country and the government by making inputs on the policy direction of the government to bring development to the country.

He charged the participants to fully embrace the training programme as it will take them to where they desire to be professionally.

In her remarks, Head ICT, Plateau State University Bokkos, Mrs Lydia Jonglapson, said that the University was fully prepared to open its facilities for all participants.