New Horizons, the world’s leading ICT Training Institution has disclosed that it is investing the sum of N500, 000,000 (about $5Million) between now and December 2008 to upgrade the youth skills in ICT in several universities in Nigeria.
As revealed by the institution, some of the universities that will benefit from the project include: University of Ibadan (UI), Lagos State University (LASU), Babcock, Covenant, Crawford, Crescent, and Lead City. The fund, it said will be used in acquiring over 2,000 computer systems, software, and other training facilities in those universities.
Tim Akano , MD/CEO , New Horizons informed that the company is embarking on the project with the purpose of assisting the nation in meeting with her "Year 2020 Vision" which is basically geared towards making Nigeria one of the top 20 countries in the world. He said that Nigeria will become a world power, if she invests heavily on her citizens on ICT training even as he commended India, China, Malaysia, and Costa Rica for taking a similar path and the successful story they are able to tell today for taking that critical decision. He strongly believes that Nigeria will achieve its vision of becoming a world power before year 2020 if it also toes the same path. He further revealed that the initiative being pursued by New Horizons will involve training over 20,000 students on ICT Certification starting from September 2008 which said is by far the largest number an ICT training firm will be taking at once in the whole world.
Akano explained that New Horizons is partnering with the universities to provide the students the opportunity of acquiring much needed industry based ICT Certification skills that will make it easier for them to be employed in any part of the world and provide them with the skills to become technology entrepreneurs and wealth creators. These include the skill to create, produce and market hardware and software products and services as well as make it easier for them to integrate should they travel abroad. It is also aimed at boosting Nigeria’s earning capacity in a knowledge-driven globalized world that will engender socio-economic development and prosperity.
Akano specifically mentioned the case of Edward C. Onyenweaku who he said was among the students trained by New Horizons at Babcock University but succeeded in getting three job offers before going for his NYSC. He also said that students would do courses on Software Programming, Multimedia, Networking, Microsoft, Oracle, CISCO etc. all in the hope to produce individuals like Bill Gates & Michael Dell.
It will be recalled that New Horizons recently organized an Infotainment seminar where more than 5000 youths attended and which Dan Forster (radio talk show host with Cool FM), and 9ICE (the popular musician behind the hit single "Gongo Aso") inspired the youths on the essence of living a productive professional live. The preferred ICT Centre also successfully organized a job fair at the National Stadium Lagos which attracted more than 10,000 people who trouped to tap limitless opportunities provided by the platform.
New Horizons is two- time winner (2006/2007) of the Best ICT Training Institution in West Africa (Direct Marketing Association of West Africa). 6 out of the best 10 instructors work with New Horizons (www.knowledgeadvisors.com ). They are also partners to Oracle WDP programme, CISCO Academy, and SUN JAVA Academy in Nigeria.
