The House of Representatives has announced a partnership plan with Idealab Agency, an international organization, to train 5000 Nigerian youths in digital skills, agribusiness and other business ventures. This was revealed during an interactive meeting in Abuja between the Chairman of the Nigeria-US Parliamentary Friendship Group, Hon. Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, the Director-General of Idealab Nigeria Limited, Mr Emmanuel Aondoaka, and the management team of the organization.
Hon. Onuakalusi stated that the training programme has the potential to support youth empowerment and improve economic development. He explained that the House is willing to support the initiative, but noted that funding will only be provided when the organization convinces the committee that it has clear training plans and the necessary approval documents from relevant government agencies. He said the House Committee will ensure that any programme that will benefit a large number of young Nigerians is included in the national budget.
He said there must be transparency and accountability in how funds are managed when released, adding that proper monitoring is necessary to ensure that the resources are used for the benefit of Nigerian youths.
In his presentation, the Director-General of Idealab Agency, Mr Emmanuel Aondoaka, said the organization has already secured the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria for the release of between N15 million and N75 million to support the training programme. He noted that when released, the funds will be disbursed to the 5000 beneficiaries through the Development Bank of Nigeria and the Bank of Industry to enable the smooth take-off of the initiative. He also said that the organization has concluded preparations for the training, including securing a certificate of registration from the Corporate Affairs Commission.
The Nigeria-US Parliamentary Friendship Group is one of the friendship groups created by the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, to strengthen relations between Nigerian lawmakers and members of the United States Congress.
