Governor Peter Obi has flagged off the training of the two hundred ICT teachers recently recruited by the State Government. The three week programme which is taking place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Library Awka in the evening of Monday,  is  in collaboration with the Microsoft and New Horizon Computer Learning Centre.

Gov Obi speaking at the flag off of the training by New Horizons and Microsoft of 200 ICT teachers recently engaged by Anambra Government to teach ICT in State’s secondary schools. On his right are The State Commissioner for Education, Kay Onyechi, New Horizon boss, Mr Tim Kayode Akano and the State Commissioner for Environment, Mike Egbebike.

The training programme is part of measures taken by the State Government to equip the new teachers properly for effective training of students in various schools and Microsoft Academies.

Governor Obi said the flag-off of the programme was in line with the vision and determination of his administration to empower the people properly to fight extreme hunger and poverty as ICT remained the capital and engine that would drive the future world.

He explained that the employment of the two hundred teachers is not only providing economic empowerment but also promoting Universal Basic Education of the Millennium Development Goals, noting that the teachers can now train students who are capable to work with different computer packages and software.

The students’ ICT knowledge, he explained, will assist in building sustainable future, noting that many countries are today amassing more revenue from ICT than from oil.

The Commissioner for Education, Dr Kay Onyechi said the training and posting of the ICT teachers would go a long way in making further inputs into the State Government’s Computer Education Programme as the computers and laptops distributed to schools will be optimally utilized. Dr Onyechi noted that this would culminate into the bright future and opening of the world of opportunities for the children as intended by the Governor.

The Managing Director of the New Horizon, Mr Tim Kayode Akano said Anambra State was the first in the country that embarked on integrated ICT empowerment in one hundred secondary schools, stressing that it was the commitment that attracted them to partner with the State government. He assured that within the next ten years, the State will produce professionals who will control the ICT world.  He commended the Governor’s honesty, transparency and integrity in putting the State first in his policies.

A participant, Mr Emmanuel Muoneke, who said he graduated since 2005 and has written one hundred and fifty applications for jobs without success, said his recent employment by the state Governor had opened doors to actualize his potentials.

Also speaking, another participant, Blessing Ekwefi said the employment of two hundred ICT teachers was the first of its kind in the State and country and assured they will make the State proud.