By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
Taraba Government and Algorand Foundation have trained 100 youths in the state on blockchain technology and software development.
The week long training programme, which commenced on Monday, ended on Saturday, after the youth were introduced to the latest innovations in blockchain technology and equiped with skills on software development.
Governor Agbu Kefas, who had declared the event open, stated that the state was willing to partner with organisations that can train and enhance the skills and capacities of youth in the state, especially in technological innovations.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, the governor noted that the collaboration between the state and Algorand Foundation would improve competitiveness in local technology and impact positively on the growth of the state and national economy.
He enjoined the beneficiaries of the programme to take advantage of the opportunity to empower themselves with relevant skills that would transform their lives and open windows of opportunities for them.
“Our administration is ever prepared to collaborate with any organisation that can enhance the skills of our youth in technological innovations because we cannot afford to be left behind in technological advancement,” he said.
The state’s Commissioner for Digital Economy and Innovation, Gideon Nonso, who signed the Memorandum of Understanding with Algorand Foundation, said Taraba was the second state in Nigeria after Plateau, to benefit from the training programme being conducted.
Nonso, who described the training as timely, revealed that the state has already put machinery in motion to establish a technology village in the state, which would serve as a catalyst to technological advancement.
Country Head of Alogorand Foundation, Benjamin Onuoha, described blockchain technology as a very powerful database that can be deployed to do a lot of things ranging from decentralised and secure identity and sharing of information in a secured and very fast manner.
Other uses of blockchain, according to Onuoha, is to tackle the problem of piracy and counterfeiting as it can be used to determine the authenticity of goods, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector as well as in supply chain management to reduce fraud and promote transparency.
Mrs Adiya Uri, a partner, said one of the main objectives of the programme was to train software developers in the state on how to create software solutions that would impact positively on the economy of the state and the country at large.
Uri said Taraba would soon become the technology hub of the country given the commitment of Gov Kefas to youth empowerment and his visionary leadership.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that beneficiaries commended Taraba Government for giving them the opportunity to acquire skills that will turn around their fortune.
