ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT PROMISES TO SUPPORT REGINA PACIS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ONITSHA IN ITS UMUBOI APP PROJECT
In a proactive move to bolster Human Capital Development under Governor Soludo’s administration, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba visited Regina Pacis International School Onitsha for a follow up to the advancement and applications of Igbo Apprenticeship (Umuboi) App presented by the school during the 2024 Innovation Week competition held last year at ICC Awka in November 2024.
Mr Agha Mba who was in company of the management team of the Ministry of Youth Development, stated that the visit was in line with Governor Soludo’s campaign promise to engage corporate entities in making the state a liveable and prosperous mega city.
The Commissioner and his team, who were welcomed by Rev. Fr. Jerome Obiekezie, the Director of Regina PACIS, expressed interest in the School’s Umuboi App project, and commended the state governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR for appreciating the talent of the students who developed the App. He also said that the visit will motivate the students to do more.
The Youth Commissioner emphasized the need for collective efforts through Public Private Community Partnership (PPCP) in order to achieve the desired objectives.
Mr. Agha Mba stated that Mr. Governor wants to promote the Igbo Apprenticeship System by revamping Igba Boi through digital technology in order to add value into the system, adding that the ministry is ready to deliver on the mandate of Mr. Governor.
In their separate presentations, some of the students, Ifechukwu Egboka and Paschalline Ngagu appreciated Governor Soludo for good governance to his people and said that the school has developed the App in order to promote Igba Boi, which is Igbo Apprenticeship system in such a way that it will attracts the youths to the Apprenticeship System, thereby minimizing unemployment in the state.
Responding, the Commissioner, disclosed that the Ministry has already developed an App for Igba Boi, as well as Smart Learning Devices like Talking Book and Pen, which he showed the management. He stated the Talking Book and Pen was designed to have different languages and it ensures that Umuboi can combine learning and daily business activities within their various shops in the market. He also spoke of the Ministry’s Online Entrepreneurship Academy for the Umuboi programme, which creates opportunity for people to study Entrepreneurship Courses from any in the world and get certified through the platform. He promised that the Ministry will work with the school to encourage the students and ensure that Umuboi project is promoted collectively.
In his speech, the Permanent Secretary Engr. Dr. Martin Agbili encouraged the students to study harder and developed more of such vital and innovative Apps for future purposes. added that the Ministry is working hard to make sure that the people in the market learn to do business by adopting modern global best practices, in line with the state government’s youth development agenda.
Also present at the meeting were the SA to Governor on Youth Development, Engr. Emeka Tony Omatah, the Principal of the school, Mrs. Ebele Kwentoh, the Executive Education Consultant, Mrs. Francisca Ohaleebo, the students and the Ministry’s media team.
