Google Donates N1.2BN Grant Initiative To Nigeria, As VP Receives Company’s Executives At Presidential Villa
Vice President of Nigeria, Sen. Kashim Shettima, has lauded Google’s N1.2 billion grant initiative to the Federal government of Nigeria's1 million jobs scheme.
Vice President of Nigeria, Sen. Kashim Shettima, has lauded Google’s N1.2 billion grant initiative to the Federal government of Nigeria's1 million jobs scheme.
Director, Information, Office of the Vice President, Olusola Abiola, in a statement on Tuesday, 15th August 2023, said the Vice President made the commendation on Tuesday, when he received some executives of Google – a leading global technology company, at the Presidential Villa.
He disclosed that the grant of N1.2 billion was to support the Tinubu administration’s digital jobs initiative was commendable and worthy of emulation by other companies.
“Let’s think outside the box and create more job opportunities. We need to walk the talk. It is easy to pontificate but very difficult to bring all of the ideas to fruition. I want to assure you, this administration is ready to partner with you.
“Nigeria is ready for business. The President that we have now wants to leave a legacy that Nigerians will be proud of many years after,” the VP explained.
According to him, Sen. Shettima, while speaking on the potentials of Nigeria’s young population, said “we have a unique opportunity to harness the potentials of our huge youth population to create millions of jobs in the digital sector
“We have more English-speaking people than many countries in Africa and beyond. We missed the agricultural age, we missed the industrial age and we are now in the knowledge-driven post-industrial age. We have the potential and a unique opportunity to fill the anticipated global talent deficit.”
“Access Bank is doing a lot in terms of digital skills, training 1000 youths in digital skills to create employment opportunities. We are working with Wema Bank, the Bank of Industry and other partners on this project. We are willing to partner with Google, we will work closely with you for the good of our nation,” he added.
The Director of Google West Africa, Mr Olumide Balogun, earlier in his remarks, said the company was excited about the Tinubu administration’s vision of creating one million digital jobs and has committed over N1.2 billion in grants to support the initiative.
He said the company through the programme would provide digital skills to over 20,000 youths and women to enhance and improve their lives and livelihoods, and also enable several startups grow and create thousands of jobs in the sector.
Google Africa’s Director of Government Relations, and Public Policy, Mr Charles Murito, on his part, said the company remained committed to investing in digital infrastructure across Africa, obseerving that digital transformation in the continent could be the driver of the targeted technology jobs.
He spoke about the potential in Africa, noting that “Google cannot achieve its vision and if it doesn’t cover Nigeria effectively.”
The Google initiative is designed to train 20,000 Nigerian women and youth in digital skills. The programme is facilitated through a grant from Google's philanthropic arm to “Mind the Gap” in partnership with Data Science Nigeria and the Creative Industry Initiative for Africa. This initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s administration's commitment to increasing the participation of young Nigerians in the digital economy by creating 1 million digital jobs.
The delegation from Google also includes, Programme Manager, Google Africa, Ms Oluwatamilore Oni; the Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager, Mr Adewolu Adene and Communications and Public Affairs Manager for Google West Africa, Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, among others.
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