Edo Partners Private Sector to Build Digital Skills Village

By Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The partnership between Edo state government and some members of the organised private sector in various areas of human endeavour has started to yield positive results as the American Tower Company (ATC) Nigeria recently handed over a Digital Skills Village Project it built in Benin City to the Edo state government.

The Digital Skills Village Project sited at Igbesamwan Street, Benin City, was built by ATC Nigeria as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to provide computer training to youths in the area.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Governor Godwin  Obaseki assured that training would commence immediately at the Digital Skills Village pointing out that trainees are on ground for the take off.

Obaseki, who was represented by the Head of Employer Engagement and Partnership on Skill Development Program, Governor’s Office, Mr Eseosa Egharevba, said the project was an integral part of the state Innovative Project by the governor.

He also stated that the government was focusing on digital skill acquisition of the youths as it’s imperative in today’s human capital development.

“This is an innovation, an integral part of Edo Innovative Project. We already have students that will start to train• There is no way a state will develop without focusing on this integral sector”.

While thanking ATC Nigeria for the gesture and for being a responsible corporate citizen, the governor assured that the facility will be protected from vandalism.

Obaseki further assured that the state government would continue to partner the ATC and Local Government Councils for the maintenance of the facilities in other locations like Ekpoma and Irrua where replicas of the project are domiciled.

“I thank the entire ATC Nigeria for this project. We will ensure there is dedicated security patrol to secure the project area and we will also partner with ATC Nigeria to ensure supervision and monitoring of the project.

“We will ensure we partner with local authority in various Local Government Councils to ensure these facilities are used for the purpose it is established for,” the governor said.

Obaseki disclosed that there are legislations in place to ensure continuity and that the project will out live the present administration.

The Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of PEES Electrical Ltd, the contracting firm that handled the project for ATC Nigeria, Mr Peter Balogun,stated that the Digital Skills Village Project was designed to complement the state’s ICT hub which was commissioned in Benin City by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during his visit to Edo State.