SOLUDO ADMINISTRATION RECORDS ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF UMUBOI ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME

The Governor of Anambra State Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo has approved and set the motion for the implementation of a new Umuboi Entrepreneurship Model in the state. The new model will ensure that all Apprentices (Umuboi) in and outside the country can undergo 1Youth2Skills Entrepreneurship Scheme within their locality. Also approved for implementation by the Governor was the provision of Talking Book to all Umuboi selected for the 1Youth2Skills Business Business Financing Scheme. The Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba made this disclosure, while stipulating the rules of engagement between Anambra State Government and MCEF Afri-Innovate, the technical partners engaged for the implementation of the new Entrepreneurship Model for Umuboi. The Commissioner stated that the technical partner, MCEF was required to create an audio and video versions of the Entrepreneurship Scheme Course Content, which had already been developed by UNIZIK Business School. The Commissioner stated that MCEF is also required to program all the forty two (42) courses in the 1Youth2Skills Entrepreneurship Scheme into Talking Book and also provide Edubot and Teca Apps. He also demanded that all the products come with a warranty to ensure sustainability of the partnership.

Mr. Agha Mba further stated that the technical partner must also abide by the ICT policy of Anambra State government through Anambra State ICT Agency (ANSICTA).

The Commissioner disclosed that the key objective of the new Umuboi Entrepreneurship Model is to ensure that the Umuboi participate in the 1Youth2Skills Entrepreneurship Scheme, without leaving their Master's Shop. He further disclosed that Umuboi can also link up to the 1Youth2Skills Online Entrepreneurship Academy for courses and presentations from renowned entrepreneurs, including the state governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, who had graciously volunteered to do presentations in some of the Entrepreneurship Courses. Mr. Agha Mba thanked the Governor for approving and releasing funds for the new Umuboi Entrepreneurship Model. He also commended UNIZIK Business School for tremendous work it is doing in the 1Youth2Skills Entrepreneurship Scheme as well the Mentorship Scheme of the programme.

Buttressing on the adherence to the ICT policy of Anambra, Mr. Tochukwu Ebeku, who represented the Managing Director of ANSICTA, made it clear that MCEF must be ready to host all the services on the Anambra State Server, as Anambra State data cannot be hosted anywhere else as enshrined in the ICT Policy.

Earlier in his presentations, the MD of MCEF Afri-Innovate, Mr. Ifeanyi Muojaieje explained the workings of Talking Book, stating MCEF will program the course content in a way that Umuboi can learn the courses in English and Igbo languages. He also explained that the Edubot would allow Umuboi to ask questions and get replies automatically, while the Teca serves as a peer to peer platform for continuous interaction among members. Also responding to a question by Engr. Emeka Tony Omatah, Special Assistant - Youth Development on use of the Teca for mentoring of Umuboi, MCEF MD, stated that it is possible and accepted to work with the government to ensure the adoption. He also confirmed that the MCEF products come 1Year Warranty in case of damage by rain water and other hazards. He also stated that his organization was highly prepared to resolve all the grail areas with respect to the Anambra State ICT policy. 

The new Umuboi Entrepreneurship Model of Soludo Administration, when fully implemented will be as a game changer in the history of Entrepreneurship in Nigeria.