DEP GOV SAM ODEH CHALLENGES IDOMAS AS ECHONO LIGHTS THE WAY AT LEEF CENTER.*
By steve anyebe.
Benue State Deputy Governor, His Excellency Barrister Sam Odeh, has thrown a challenge to Idoma people worldwide to henceforth cultivate the spirit of selflessness by imbibing the culture of what they can do for the progress of Idomaland instead of investments which benefit only their individual selfs and families.
Barr Sam Odeh threw the challenge after leading guests on a tour of the LEEF Center in Otukpo, Benue State, while declaring open the Learn2Earn Digital Skills Training Center and an eighteen-month certification programme in various skills such as Web design/development, Artificial Intelligence, and Cyber Security.
“In my little way, I have travelled to many advanced countries and have had the opportunity of visiting training centers, but after going round this LEEF Center here in Otukpo, I must say that what we have here is unbelievably spectacular and of the highest global standard, compared to any in any part of the world. This is a classical display of the unique innovative mind which Arc Sonny Echono has. I am greatly challenged by what I have seen here. And I use this opportunity to call on all Idoma people both at home and in the diaspora to begin to think more of what we can do for the progress of Idomaland, especially what can benefit our youths. Our son Arc Echono has shown the way, let us follow him. We have enough hotels and clubs in Otukpo. We don’t need more. What we need now is digital hubs like this LEEF Center.”
The Deputy Governor also praised His Excellency Governor Dr Hyacinth Alia for initiating a project to train ten thousand Benue youths in ICT related skills.
Earlier in his Keynote Address, the Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Arc Sonny Echono, the initiator of the Learn2Earn programme, told the audience that Otukpo is only the starting point of a nationwide project. He reiterated the aim of the LEEF Center to be the production of graduates skilled enough in ICT to be able to work with globally acclaimed digital companies.
According to Echono “What we have here is meticulously designed as a haven for learning and development, aimed at transforming the educational horizon of our country by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. This is a significant investment in Idomaland, an intentional and deliberate effort to equip our youths with the future proven skills in digital technologies. We are building a bridge between education and global relevance in ensuring that our youths are not only educated but also employable with cutting edge skills. There is no better time to invest in our youths and in our collective future than now.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Founding Partner of Future Africa and a brain behind Learn2Earn Nigeria Project, informed the audience that the programme started ten years ago at Yaba-Lagos and has produced world class digital experts. He pointed out that the project has been blessed with the presence of Arc Sonny Echono, whom he described as an altruistic innovator, adding that Idomaland is lucky to be the commencement point of a nationwide programme.
In his own contribution, the LEEF Center project engineer, Engr Agaba Ikwue expressed gratitude to Arc Sonny Echono for his total commitment to the Learn2Earn Project. He advised the participating youths to stay focused and remain consistent as that is the sure way to success.
Prof Joe Tor Iorapuu, Vice-Chancellor of Benue State University, saw the event as a turning point for Benue State, especially Idomaland, saying that in a few years time the economic environment of the area would have been so positively impacted that the real essence of the Learn2Earn would be greatly felt.
The launch of the Learn2Earn project in Otukpo on 25th January 2025 was attended by high government officials, traditional rulers, the clergy, Heads of tertiary institutions, businessmen and the media.
