Over a hundred youths, drawn from Ikot Ekpene and Obot Akara local government areas have undergone a free technology skills acquisition training courtesy of Ikot Ekpene and Obot Akara Partnership Project in collaboration with Future Labs - an Ikot Ekpene-based tech hub.

The event tagged, #UPSKILL, offered training in coding and software development, web design and development, digital marketing and opportunities in digital technology.

Leading the discussion, the Chief Executive Officer of Future Labs, MANASSEH UDIM, explained that the opportunities in global digital technology are endless.

According to MANASSEH UDIM, digital technology skills are not limited by location, time and space, as techies can operate from anywhere and make so much Money.

Vice Chancellor of Ritman University, Prof. Celestine Ntuen, in his remarks, applauded the idea, adding that the institution was ever ready to partner the project by providing space for the training to take place.

In a goodwill message, Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT, RICHARD OKON, commended Ikot Ekpene and Obot Akara Partnership Project for the initiative, noting that the gesture is complimentary of the governor's Dakkada philosophy.

For the Principal, Ikot Ekpene and Obot Akara Partnership Project, Prince Samuel Ukut, the digital technology skills programme is to train the young people to compete favorably with their counterparts in other developed parts of the world.

Prince Samuel Ukut admonished the trainees to make the best of the learning opportunity to equip themselves so as to stand out to become self reliant and employers of labour.

The event featured a test where the best twenty two (22) participants were chosen to undergo a two month intensive digital technology course at FutureLabs, to be funded by the the principal of Ikot Ekpene and Obot Akara Partnership Project, Prince Samuel Ukut.

The courses to be undertaken include web design, web development, product design, computer aided design, digital art, motion graphics design, digital marketing and graphics design.