The lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha H Akpoti-Uduaghan, has successfully trained and empowered 250 youths from her constituency with in-demand digital and technical skills.
The training and empowerment programme covered the following areas:
Drone Security and Environmental Sustainability/Remediation Initiatives –80 beneficiaries.
Advanced Welding and Fabrication Techniques –50 beneficiaries
Renewable Energy Installation –50 beneficiaries.
Data Analytics and Digital Transformation –70 beneficiaries.
This brings the total number of empowered youths to 250.
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The trainings held at her residence in Kogi Central, were designed to promote self-reliance by equipping people and learning institutions with employable skills and tools to create sustainable learning and livelihood.
Speaking during the event, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan described the initiative as a set of strategic human capacity development programmes aimed at bridging the technology and skill gap.
“Our people deserve to be empowered with the very best of technology for self-reliance,” she said.
The senator revealed that her decision to deploy drone technology was inspired by countries like South Africa, Egypt, Malawi and Ethiopia that have adopted drone innovations to drive industries like mining, agriculture and infrastructure monitoring.
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“Drone technology is the new frontier of socio-economic development not only in Africa but globally. Furthermore, freely distributing 80 drones to individuals and learning institutions sets a standard for Nigeria as a leader in innovative capacity-building technologies.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasised that while drone technology is relatively new in Nigeria, it holds significant potential for both security and entrepreneurship.
“Traditionally used for photography and videography, she described a range of expansive ways drones can be deployed, such as the construction, oil & and gas, agriculture, delivery services, environmental monitoring, geographically mapping, telecommunications among others”
As part of the initiative, departments of Geology and Environmental Science of the following 10 tertiary institutions nationwide were invited to benefit from the drone technology empowerment;
1 Federal College of Education, Okene
2 Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara
3 Kogi State University, Anyigba
4 Federal University, Lokoja
5 Federal Polytechnic, Idah
6 Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja
7 University of Ilorin
8 Bayero University, Kano
9 Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
10 Federal University of Science and Technology, Minna.
According to her, the aim is to equip educational institutions with modern tools that will enhance students’ learning experiences and provide hands-on training in emerging technologies.
This empowerment initiative comes just days after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan flagged off the construction of two smart markets in Kogi Central, with a combined capacity of 160 shops and also distributed 700 computers to students of Abdul-Azeez Attah Memorial College, Okene (AAAMCO).
Senator Natasha reiterated her commitment to continually empowering her people with modern technologies and innovation-driven opportunities, emphasising that “they deserve the best.”