Imo close to realising digital industrialization, set to create 300,000 jobs, Says Uzodimma
BY: EMMANUEL CHUKWUMA, ENUGU.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has expressed confidence that his administration’s quest for a digital economy is on the part of full realization.
He explained that his administration has, since its inception, strived towards creating a digital economy that can empower Imo youths and create over 300,000 jobs through the Skill-Up Imo Programme.
Uzodimma disclosed this at Government Owerri when US-Mac signed an agreement with the government on how to fully realize the potential of Imo Digital City, an initiative of the governor.
The program, he said, has “graduated 40,000 youths, most of them are gainfully employed, while some of them have started their own businesses.”
Uzodimma noted that the agreement signed with US-Mac, a United States-based digital marketing company, would add impetus and help expedite the realization of the vision of a digital economy for Imo State.
He disclosed that the State is equally partnering with other well-known companies and organizations like Cisco, Microsoft, Zinox Technologies, Konga, SP, and the European Union Digital SME Alliance to turn the Imo economy around and make the State the economic base and technology hub of Nigeria.
The Governor equally noted that the State has an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to create 1,000 jobs annually for the State.
“What we intend to do is to enable multi-national companies and global organizations to partner with Imo State Government in our determination to create jobs, curb youth restiveness, and provide economic prosperity for our youths. We are gradually moving towards realizing the dream of a new Imo,” Uzodimma stated.
He, therefore, thanked the partners and urged the Management team of US-Mac to be committed to keeping the terms of the agreement, and promised not to disappoint their own expectations as a government.
The Leader of the delegation and Management Director of US-Mac Company, Mr. Chris Burry, expressed delight over the partnership and signed the dotted lines in the agreement on behalf of the Company, while the Secretary to the Imo State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, signed for the government.
