Managing Director Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku says the Commission is determined to build capacity among youths of the Region in digital skills, to make them employers of labour instead of job seekers.
Dr. Ogbuku who made this known during Artificial Intelligence Training in Port Harcourt Rivers State, charged the youths to leverage on digital skills and become tech entrepreneurs.
With the fast changes in the digital technology defining transaction automation, industry practices, education and almost every area of human endeavour, the artificial intelligence training put up by Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, provided a platform for youths of Niger Delta region to learn digital skills that can launch them to the global stage.
Declaring the event open, Managing Director Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku who observed that Artificial intelligence was essential in creating opportunities that would shape businesses, asked participants to domesticate the AI knowledge to solve local problems, in environments, agriculture, health among others.
Dr. Ogbuku who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Reverend Obegha Oworibo maintained that the future of the region should not only depend on oil, but also needs to navigate into technology to be able to compete at the global market.
“The world of work is changing rapidly. Artificial Intelligence is transforming how people learn, create, conduct business and solve problems. Tasks that once required considerable time, resources or even a team of people can increasingly be assisted by powerful digital tools that are now accessible to individuals and small businesses”
He told the participants to identify problems in their communities and profer needed solutions with the knowledge of Artificial intelligence.
“A young entrepreneur can use Al to research a market, develop a business idea, communicate with customers and create content.
A creative person can use it to develop and refine ideas. A small business owner can use it to improve productivity and compete in markets that may previously have seemed beyond reach”.
Similarly, Director Information Technology and Innovation, Mr. Emeka Ani in a virtual presentation noted that the key factor did not depend on adopting AI, but in developing people who can use Al to solve problems, create values and generate employment, hence the training.
Mr. Ani who stated that the commission has over the years invested in capacity building among the youths, described the training as another bold step towards building a knowledge driven economy where innovation, technology and entrepreneurship become catalysts for sustainable development.
In a lecture on Catalyzing Digital Innovation, Job Creation and Economic Self-Reliance with AI Skills, the lead facilitator from the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, Professor Onyenuga Adedeji
emphasized the importance of making ethical use of Artificial intelligence.
Professor Adedeji who stressed the need to have unique ideas that could be enhanced by Artificial intelligence, maintained, that originality in ideas was key in the use of AI.
The resource person said that proper use of AI starts with the right command, which would make AI supply appropriate information.
The University don suggested that the commission could establish a regional AI hub that would train youths of the region to develop in digital technology.
Two of the participants, Favour NDIDI and Desire James while appreciating NDDC for the opportunity, acknowledged that the training was impactful.
Miss NDIDI who is a law Student at Rivers State University, admitted that the knowledge she gained would be of great assistance in her academic journey.
The theme of the three days Training is ‘Artificial Intelligence Training for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable livelihoods in the Niger Delta.’
