Gov.Peter Mbah of Enugu State has commended University of Nigeria Nsukka and Igboeze-South Local Government Council and UNESCO for training 418 youths in the state on AI application, Chatbot creation, Robotics and AI content development on training titled ” Ethical Artificial Intelligence Skills”.
Gov Mbah made the commendation in Nsukka on Thursday during the grand finale/graduation of participants after 10 days intensive training handled by experts of AI in various feilds.
The 10-day training was organised by Igboeze-South Local Government and UNESCO Country Office Abuja in partnership with University of Nigeria Nsukka its Directorate of International Collaboration and Faculty of Vocational Technical Education (VTE).
Our correspondent gathered that Igboeze-South LG provided funded the training, UNESCO provided AI ethical support, Faculty of VTE provided the hands-on training while Directorate of International Collaboration provided institutional support.
Mbah who was represented by Prof Chidiebere Onyia, the Secretary to Enugu State Government congratulated participants for their dedication and rapt attention during the training that made it possible for them to understand, digest and deserved to be awarded certificate on AI by UNESCO.
“I extend my warmest congratulations to you all for successfully completing the 10 days training on Ethical Artificial Intelligence Skills.
“Today you have moved to a new digital frontier called digital economy which will make you more relivant globally.
“I urge you all, as you receive this UNESCO certificate of this training, abide by the ethical foundation of Al, by applying the knowledge you acquiredI responsibly in whatever you do ,”he said.
The governor commended the organsers of the training especially Bar. Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze, the Chairman of Igboeze-South LG for funding the training and always empowering youths.
“I commend the outstanding leadership of Ukwueze whó have been a vision leader and lover of youths empowerment since he assumed office as council chairman.
“What the council chairman has been doing his LG aligned 100 per cent with my vision in Enugu State.
“What LG Chairman has done today is not only empowerment but strategic investment on human capital development,”he said.
Mbah also commended UNESCO, UNN Directorate of International Collaboration and Faculty of VTE for their contributions in making the training a success.
The governor disclosed that the digital foundation his administration is laying in the state would make the economy of Enugu State in the next 10 to 15 years to be driven by intellectual knowledge and not material resources
Speaking Dr. Kelechi Nnamani, the Director International Collaboration in UNN said the AI training programme was designed to expose young people to diverse applications of Artificial Intelligence and to prepare them for meaningful participation in the rapidly evolving global digital economy.
“This initiative aligns squarely with the University of Nigeria’s internationalization drive, the development agenda of the current Enugu State Government, and Nigeria’s national digital transformation and human capital development priorities
” more than four hundred youths have been exposed to critical areas of Artificial Intelligence that will empower them to innovate, compete globally, and pursue their life goals with confidence.
“Artificial Intelligence is no longer the future—it is the present—and it is reshaping every aspect of human endeavour, from education and healthcare to governance,”he said.
The director, congratulate all the trainees for successfully completing this programme, you are now ambassadors of innovation, creativity, and responsible technology use.
” The world is looking up to you to deploy the skills you have acquired to solve real-world problems, uplift your communities, and contribute meaningfully to national and global development,” he said.
Nnamani expressed appreciation to the Gov. Mbah, whose visionary leadership and bold commitment to youth empowerment, digital transformation, and innovation-driven development continue to reposition Enugu State as a hub of opportunity and enterprise.
The director commended UNN-VC (Ortuanya) who have provided the enabling environment for initiatives of this nature to thrive.
‘VC dedication to repositioning the UNN as a globally competitive institution continues to inspire strategic partnerships nationally and internationally.
“I extend my appreciation to UNESCO team led Prof Nneka Okafo, your technical support, policy guidance, and belief in the power of young minds have been instrumental to the success of this programme.
This address will be incomplete without acknowledging the able and capacity Chairman of Igbo-Eze South LG whose passion for youth development and empowerment made this initiative a reality.
Also speaking, the chairman of Igboeze-South LG said his administration is a progressive agenda anchored on human capital development and focussing on youths.
He recalled some empowerments the council had organised for youths on sports, vocational studies, agro economy among others.
*Some of the youths who participated in agro-economy empowerment organised by Council recently got employments abroad in Suadi Arabia and Kwait because of the empowerment,”he said.
The council boss explained that those that participated in the AI training sponsored by his council are above 400 youths from Enugu North Senatorial District as well as other local government areas in the state.
“These participants are interested volunteer residents of Enugu State who only applied for the training as stated, nobody that applied was rejected rather everybody was taken.
“These participants have been coming for this training in the past 9 days as this graduation day marked the 10 day of the programme,”he said.
“On behalf of Igboeze-South, I expressed my special appreciation to the performing governor of Enugu State Dr Peter Mbah, who was ably represented by SSG of Enugu State.
I commend Dr Kelechi Nnamani, the Director of International collaboration UNN, Prof Chinyere Ogbuanya Dean faculty of Vocational Technical Education and UNESCO team Abuja led by Prof Nneka Okafor who partnered with Igboeze-South LG to make this AI youth training a huge success.
Earlier, Prof Simon Ortuanya, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN who was represented by the Deputy Vice-chancellors UNEC Prof Jehoshaphat Onwumere, said the university would continue to partner with government, agencies and international organisations in order to impac knowledge and skills to Nigerians especially youths who are future leaders.
The VC urged participants of the training to use knowledge of AI acquired responsibly and for the good of humanity
Our correspondent reports that, highlight of the occasion were participants demonstrating what they have learnt and presentation of UNESCO certificate to participants as well as HP laptops from Igboeze-South LG council to participants who scored highest in final assessment of the training.
Our correspondent also reports that the occasion was attended by high profile dignitaries from Igboeze-South Local Government Area.