By Ovat Abeng
The Anambra State Solution Innovation District (SID), has concluded it plan to train a total of 2000 youths across the 21 local government areas of the State in digital skills.
The training according to the special Adviser to the State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo on Innovation and Business Incubation, Chinwe Okoli, is bill for free of charge.
Okoli who disclosed this to journalists at her office in Awka, on Saturday during a press conference to mark the 2025 Social Media Festival (SMFESTAwka), scheduled to hold in Awka between June 22nd-29th, 2025 said the free gesture would enable the beneficiaries to measure up with the new trends in technology, particularly, the Artificial intelligence (AI).
She noted that the project which is in line with governor Soludo’s vision of making Anambra digital hub of Nigeria with run in partnership with the SMFest Awka.
“The world is going global, and this training will not only improve their lives but also help take them off the labour market,” she said, adding that this initiative is part of governor Soludo’s commitment to equipping the Anambra youths with practical skills for the evolving digital world.
“The SID under my watch is also currently training one million young people in digital skills through the 1 Million Anambra Digital Tribe Program. Other ongoing initiatives include upcoming Cohort 2 of the Code Anambra Program, practical training in Robotics with Circum Technologies and Internet Exchange Point (IXP) Network Engineering with Connekt Broadband, SID also runs a startup incubation program, nurturing early-stage founders and accelerating homegrown innovation.
“In a bold and symbolic move, the 13.7-hectare in the old Anambra Government House site -now officially repurposed -is being transformed into the permanent headquarters of SID and once completed, it will host tech companies, research institutes, innovation hubs, and startup offices, cementing its status as Anambra’s own Silicon Valley.
“This partnership with SMFest Awka’s is aimed to ignite the Southeast’s innovation ecosystem and empower a generation of bold thinkers and builders.
Okoli appeal to youths in the state irrespective of tribe, ethic and religion affiliations to grab the opportunity for the sake of self-reliance.
On his speech, the lead organiser of the SMFest Awka 2025, Mr. Ifeanyi Ochije (Sirwyte), who spoke further on the new partnership, said the collaboration will not only inspire, but activate, a new wave of tech-savvy, future-ready entrepreneurs in Anambra State.
He said the training will be a free one-week programme.
Ochije urged Interested participants to sign up via www.smfest.org/awka or get across physically through any of their contacts below: :Email- smfestawka@gmail.comWebsite – www.smfest.org/awkaSocial media @smfestawkaWhatsapp only – 09078450207 to begin their journey to digital excellence.
He extended appreciation to the 250+ volunteers working behind the scenes to ensure a successful event and also to supporting partners including the Office of the Honorable Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Cafe One, Blord Group, Silicon Africa Technologies, Trueworth Consults Ltd, Tiger Foods Ltd, the Anambra ICT Agency, Senatorch Group, The Infinity Technology Hub, Business Yield, Rotary District 9142, Sterling One bank, Pamtech Group, The Impact Hub Lagos, and many others.