Cross-section of dignitaries at the flag-off of business pitching initiative for participants of Veritas University’s digital skills training project in Abuja on Saturday.
By Felix Khanoba
Veritas University, Abuja, has flagged off a business pitching initiative for participants of its digital skills training project.
Speaking at the flag-off of the scheme at Veritas University’s campus in Bwari, Abuja, on Saturday, the project leader, Professor Gabriel Egbe, said the programme has seen the training of 1,230 beneficiaries.
While saying the project is aimed at training and certifying trainees on various digital skill sets, Egbe said the scheme is being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education under the World Bank-sponsored Innovation, Development, and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) programme.
“The journey of Veritas University in the innovation grant started when we joined 450 other private organizations to attend the initial launch of the Innovation Grant Facility (IGF) in 2022. After the launch, 188 organizations submitted proposals, out of which 119 were screened as eligible for evaluation.
“After critical evaluation of various submissions and site visits for inspection, 14 organizations were successful and invited for the contract and MOU signing ceremony in September 2023.
“It was after that rigorous and competitive process that Veritas University, Abuja, proudly to be one of the 14 private organizations to run the digital skills innovation project as a pilot….
“It is important to note that the project is conceived to provide young Nigerians with cutting edge digital skills that will make them fit into the current and
emerging digital economy globally,” Egbe said.
He further stated that the project, which attracted a N126 million grant, has seen Veritas University perform beyond expectations.
“Although in the contract agreement, Veritas University was expected to train and certify 900 participants, we are glad to report that out of the over 3,000 who completed the online application form, we have been able to enroll, train, and certify 1,230 trainees, exceeding our target by 330 trainees, representing a 36.6% increase,” he said.
On his part, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Rev. Fr. Professor, Hycinth Ichoku, said the project would go a long way toward addressing the problem of youth unemployment in the country.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor,
Monsignor Professor Michael Sunday Sasa, Ichoku said the digital skills acquired by the beneficiaries would create various practical job opportunities for them.
“The Federal Ministry of Education has openly stated here today that for many of the participants who are qualified, the ministry is ready to create jobs for them, and seek ways where they will be employed.
“I think this is good news for our country. We have many young people who are just redundant, so we thank God for this opportunity,” he said.
Also speaking, the National Project Coordinator of IDEAS, Blessing Ogwu, commended Veritas University for delivering on the programme.
While saying that the digital skills training project formed part of the scorecard of the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, Ogwu, who was represented by the project consultant, said relevant skills are needed to bring about desired development in the country.
“What is lacking in Nigeria is not a lack of jobs; what is lacking is lack of skills,” the coordinator said.
The Special Guest of Honour of the event and former Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi, said Veritas University deserves a special commendation for providing a platform to empower Nigerian youths for the future.
He also harped on the need for young Nigerians to embrace digital skills, saying, “This is where the world is going.”
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of business pitches by some of the trainees in the digital skills project.
