Govt moves to boost employment opportunities in Imo, signs MoU with US-MAC for ‘Imo digital city’
The Imo Government, on Monday – yesterday, March 10 – signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with US-Mac, a United States-based digital marketing company, for the establishment of an Imo Digital City in the State, by the company
In a speech at the brief ceremony in the Government House, Owerri, Gov. Hope Uzodimma said the project is aimed at boosting employment opportunities and creating a digital economy in the Imo State.
Explaining that his administration has, since inception, strived towards creating a digital economy that could empower Imo youths and create over 300,000 jobs through the Skill-Up Imo Programme, Uzodimma disclosed that the Skill-Up Imo Programme has already “graduated 40,000 youths, most of them are gainfully employed, while some of them have started their own businesses.”
Uzodimma said the MoU with US-Mac would “add impetus, and help expedite the realisation of the vision of a digital economy for Imo,” informing that the state is equally partnering with other well-known companies and organisations such as Cisco, Microsoft, Zinox Technologies, Konga, SP, and European Union Digital SME Alliance, to create more job opportunities for the teeming population of Imo youths in the knowledge economy.
Assuring that the partnerships are expected to turn the State’s economy around and make it the economic base and technology hub of Nigeria, the Imo Governor further disclosed that the state has an agreement with United Nation Development Programme to create 1,000 jobs annually.
“What we intend to do is to get multi-national companies and global organisations to partner with Imo Government in our determination to create jobs, curb youth restiveness, and provide economic prosperity for our youths.
“We are gradually moving towards realising the dream of a new Imo,” Uzodimma said.
He commended the partners and urged the management of US-Mac to be committed to keeping the terms of the agreement, and promised not to disappoint in their own expectations as a government.
The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the Leader of the delegation and Managing Director of US-Mac Company, Mr. Chris Burry, signed the agreement on behalf of the company, while the Secretary to the Imo Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, signed for the Government.
In a brief remark, Burry expressed delight at the partnership and promised to implement the agreement.
