The Abia State Orientation Agency has issued a public announcement to address concerns from applicants who were not selected for the ongoing TechRise 2.0 training programme.
Speaking on behalf of the state government, the Director General of the Agency, Ure Abazie, extended empathy to youths and residents who felt disappointed by the outcome.
“We acknowledge your disappointment and understand your concerns,” she said, addressing the reaction of many who did not make the final list.
The statement, released on February 18, 2025, stressed that eligibility for TechRise 2.0 clearly required applicants to be from one of Abia State’s 17 Local Government Areas. “This requirement was known to all applicants from the onset, and it served to ensure fair representation across the state,” the agency explained.
In response to claims that non-indigenes were excluded, the agency described such views as baseless. “The perception or suggestion that applicants were excluded based on not being indigenes is entirely unfounded and does not reflect the spirit or process of the programme,” Abazie stated.
According to the report, the selection process was handled at the grassroots level and involved local government representatives to ensure transparency and fairness. Out of 8,165 applicants, only 850, 50 per LGA, were selected for this phase.
The agency clarified that the process prioritized balanced representation rather than politics, ethnicity, or favoritism.
The announcement further assured that TechRise 2.0 is just one among several digital skills and youth empowerment initiatives in the state.
“The Abia State Government, through various agencies and partnerships, is actively rolling out ongoing and upcoming programmes tailored to digital skills, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and innovation,” the statement read.
Residents are encouraged to stay hopeful and prepare for more economic opportunities and tech training programs as Abia continues to grow.
Meanwhile, the CBT exam date remains the same.