By Segun Oniyide
A group of young Nigerian ICT trainees have assembled an iPad device, the first of its kind, at the Calabar Phone and iPad Assembling Plant component of the Niger Delta Skill Acquisition Centre located in Cross Rivers state.
The device was presented to the state governor, Liyel Imoke, by the supervising minister of Niger Delta Affairs Darius Ishaku at the graduation ceremony for the centre’s first batch of 100 trainees.
Ishaku said the idea of the phone assembling plant was initiated as part of the ICT policy of the ministry in collaboration with Nigerian ICT professionals in the diaspora.
The effort has today culminated in what is referred to as the Niger Delta Skill Acquisition Centre for phone and iPad assembling plant to empower youths in the region.
The choice of Calabar for the plant was not in error. It was deliberate because of its proximity to the Free Trade Zone (FTZ), which will make it possible for the entrepreneurs to export their finished products outside the country, coupled with the prevailing peace and security, as well as the ambience of the state. We found the best place for this project in Niger Delta, here in Calabar.”
Governor Imoke emphasised the need for the youths to acquire necessary skills to contribute to national development.
Imparting the necessary skill on the youths is imperative, if there must be meaningful development in the country,” Imoke said.
He commended the Niger Delta Affairs ministry for the role it is playing towards the implementation of aggressive youth empowerment programmes which have ICT as one of the key components.
