NGO trains 50 PWDs on information technology
Training
By Ahmed Abdulkadir Kano
Kano, An NGO, Sightsavers Nigeria, has organised a 9-months training for 50 young People with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria to acquire skills on Information Technology (IT)
Declaring the exercise open on Friday in Kano, Dr Sunday Isiyaku, the Country Director of the organisation, said that the participants were drawn from Kano and Lagos, representing the northern and southern parts of the country, respectively.
Represented by Mr. David Okorafor, Project Officer – Economic Empowerment Project, Isiyaku said that the participants would be trained at its IT Brigade Academy.
The country director explained that the training is part of its commitment toward promoting equal economic opportunities for PWDs in the society.
”The Academy was designed to equip young men and women with disabilities with industry-recognised certified IT skills to enable them to compete favourably in the labour market and start their own careers in the evolving digital economy.
”The trainees will be trained and certified in courses such as CISCO networking and cybersecurity, data analysis, product management, cloud computing and ITEL service management.
“Whilst we help remove all disability-related barriers for people with disabilities to learn equally, one overarching goal for us is to ensure the academy becomes a source for a pool of IT talents with disabilities for employers,” he said.
Isiyaku also explained that Sightsavers is partnering with the government-owned Digital Bridge Institute, with its campuses in Lagos and Kano.
“The IT Bridge Academy will harness the world-renowned CISCO Networking Academy curriculum, which has been carefully adapted to cater for the unique needs of individuals with disabilities.
“Our dream is to create an academy that will not only impart technical knowledge but also fosters an environment of inclusivity, support, and encouragement to the PWDs.
“It is a testament to Sightsavers’ unwavering commitment to promoting equal economic opportunities for people with disabilities,” Isiyaku added.
The country director also said that the initiative was a clear demonstration of how public-private partnership could help remove barriers that deny people with disabilities from meaningfully participating, benefitting, and contributing to their local economy.
He explained that after graduation, the participants would become certified CISCO networking associate, alongside other technical and soft skills.
He added that the skills would avail them the expertise and confidence to thrive in the ever-evolving tech-industry, adding that Sightsavers would support in connecting them with companies for internship opportunities when the need arises.
