Orji Kanu Unveils Digital Skills Training for Arochukwu/Ohafia Youths
…Targets remote jobs, digital entrepreneurship and alternative income opportunities
Hon. Orji Kanu Emmanuel
Young people in Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia State are set to receive training in content creation and other digital skills as part of an initiative being facilitated by the African Democratic Congress, ADC, candidate for the constituency, Hon. Orji Kanu Emmanuel.
The virtual training programme is designed to help youths acquire practical skills that can be used to create digital content, secure remote work, build online businesses and develop alternative sources of income in an economy where technology is increasingly changing how people work and earn.
According to the Leader of the HOOKE Media Team, who signed the statement on behalf of Orji Kanu Emmanuel, the training will be conducted in batches and will be open to youths across the constituency, with priority given to those currently residing in Arochukwu and Ohafia.
The programme is expected to commence by the end of October, with participants receiving certificates upon successful completion.
For a young person who may be struggling to find a conventional job, the organisers believe digital skills could provide another route into the economy—one where a laptop or smartphone, internet connection and the right expertise can potentially connect them to clients and audiences far beyond their immediate community.
Participants will be introduced to practical areas of the digital content industry, including Adobe and Canva, video editing, artificial intelligence tools, short-form video production, digital storytelling and AI-generated video production.
Content creation has moved beyond simply posting pictures and videos for entertainment. Globally, creators now generate income through advertising, brand partnerships, digital products, subscriptions, freelancing, education, entertainment and other online services.
Industry estimates put the African creator economy in the billions of dollars, with different market reports projecting significant growth over the coming years. Nigeria is also emerging as a major market within Africa’s wider creative and digital economy.
For youths in Arochukwu and Ohafia, the organisers say this changing landscape presents an opportunity to participate in an economy that is not necessarily limited by geography.
A trained video editor, graphic designer, social media manager, digital marketer, content creator or online educator in the constituency can potentially provide services to businesses and individuals in other Nigerian cities or to clients in other countries.
However, the organisers stress that owning a smartphone and having a social media account are not enough.
The training is expected to expose participants to the technical, creative and commercial sides of content creation, including developing content ideas, producing quality videos, editing, graphic design, using artificial intelligence responsibly, understanding digital platforms and exploring legitimate ways of monetising digital skills.
The initiative is being presented by the organisers as part of Orji Kanu Emmanuel’s stated focus on human-capital development and sustainable empowerment.
Rather than limiting empowerment to immediate financial assistance, the programme seeks to give beneficiaries skills and tools that they can continue to use after completing the training.
As National President of the Association for Formidable Educational Development, AFED, Orji has also been involved in education and professional development initiatives, including a programme through which teachers in low-cost schools accessed a certificate programme involving Buckingham University, with participants also receiving tablets to support their learning.
The organisers say the proposed content creation programme follows a similar approach—providing people with knowledge and tools that can potentially improve their capacity to participate in the economy.
The programme is expected to attract young people interested in digital media, technology, content creation and online entrepreneurship.
The Leader of the HOOKE Media Team said the initiative is intended to help beneficiaries explore opportunities as content creators, video editors, graphic designers, digital marketers, remote workers, social media managers and other digital service providers.
“The future of work is changing, and our young people must not be left behind. We want our youths to see digital skills not merely as entertainment, but as a pathway to economic opportunity,” the organisers stated.
Innocent Onoh
