AKWA IBOM LAUNCHES NIGERIA’s FIRST YOUTH TECH HUB
..as ARISE Skills Week 2025 Closes In Uyo
The 2025 ARISE Youth Skills Week officially came to a close yesterday with the launch of the ARISE Youth-Friendly Tech Hub by Nigeria’s Minister for Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande.
The hub, which was unveiled at the Ibom E-Library, serves as a pilot centre for what is envisioned to become a state-wide network of youth-friendly innovation hubs across all 31 local government areas in the state.
Designed to promote innovation and technology among the youth, the hub is equipped with internet access and digital tools, providing an enabling environment for skill acquisition and the development of creative ideas.
Unveiling the facility, Comrade Olawande lauded Akwa Ibom State for being the first in Nigeria to establish such a youth-focused tech hub.
Olawande noted that the “Green House,” as he referred to it, would serve as a centre for youth-driven innovation and enterprise development, and described Governor Umo Eno as a visionary leader with passion for youth development.
He registered the Federal government’s admiration towards the Governor’s developmental and citizen-friendly initiatives.
“Governor Umo Eno is a visionary leader, a thinker and a doer. He is an action Governor. We are now shifting from the ‘One Youth–Two Skills’ campaign to ‘One Local Government–One Product’,” the Minister declared, while urging Nigerian youths to acquire multiple skills as a means of reducing dependence.
He also emphasized the need for deliberate and sustained investment in digital skills acquisition as a national priority.
Representing Governor Umo Eno at the event, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Ekerette Ekanem, assured that the ARISE Youth-Friendly Hubs would significantly benefit the youth and promote grassroots innovation across the state.
He explained that the initiative is aimed at equipping young people with the tools and platforms they need to create ideas and thrive in a fast-changing digital world.
Goodwill messages were received from key stakeholders, including, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Youth Development Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, Rector of Dakada Skills Acquisition Centre, Prof. Enoidem Usoro, and Supervisors for Youth Development across the 31 LGAs led by Etinyene OfongEkpe who all commended Governor Eno for the laudable initiative and pledged their support for its successful implementation.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives of Representatives Committee on Youth Development, Hon. Martins Esin moved a motion to support the President Bola Tinubu and Governor Umo Eno’s continuation in office beyond 2027 and was seconded by the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Youths, Sports and Security, Hon. Uwemedimo Asuquo.
The event also featured presentation of prizes to outstanding young innovators, who pitched technological solutions to different socioeconomic challenges.