By Divine Sam
Ukanafun, Akwa Ibom State — The Member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Public Procurement, Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem, has flagged off a three-day intensive capacity-building training on Cybersecurity for 100 youths drawn from his constituency.
The programme, which commenced earlier today in Uyo, is fully sponsored by Rt. Hon. Idem as part of his sustained commitment to youth empowerment and human capital development. He was represented at the opening ceremony by the pioneer Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Amadu Attai.
Designed to equip young people with relevant digital and cybersecurity competencies, the all-expense-paid training covers accommodation and feeding for participants and organizers throughout the three-day duration. At the end of the programme, each beneficiary is expected to receive a brand-new laptop and a cash grant to support their career development and entrepreneurial pursuits in the technology space.
Addressing participants at the opening ceremony, Rt. Hon. Idem emphasized that the initiative was a deliberate effort to prepare youths of Ukanafun and Oruk Anam for opportunities in the fast-growing global digital economy. He stressed that young people in the constituency must not be left behind in the ongoing digital revolution.
According to him, the training is structured to equip both young men and women with practical cybersecurity skills capable of opening doors to employment, entrepreneurship, and remote work opportunities. He further noted that beyond technical competence, participants would be exposed to relevant provisions of Nigeria’s Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act to encourage responsible, ethical, and lawful use of digital platforms.
He explained that participants would be taught what constitutes cybercrime and the legal consequences of engaging in such activities, adding that knowledge of the Cybercrime Act is crucial in guiding youths toward the positive and productive use of technology within the confines of the law.
Rt. Hon. Idem also disclosed that the provision of laptops and financial support at the end of the programme was intentional, to ensure that participants could immediately apply the skills acquired during the training.
In his remarks, the training organizer and Managing Director of Cassell Consultancy Limited, Mr. Michael Adewole, stated that the participants would undergo hands-on training in online safety, data protection, cybersecurity fundamentals, ethical hacking basics, emerging cybersecurity trends, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and relevant entrepreneurial tools. He noted that the programme is designed to position beneficiaries for gainful engagement within the ICT sector.
Beneficiaries of the initiative described the training as timely and impactful, expressing optimism that it would enhance digital literacy, reduce unemployment, and discourage involvement in cyber-related crimes within the constituency.
The cybersecurity training forms part of Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem’s broader commitment to youth empowerment, capacity development, and sustainable human capital growth in Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency. Recall that late last year, he sponsored a similar ICT and Digital Entrepreneurship training for another set of 100 youths, who also benefited from laptop empowerment and cash grants.
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