Federal Government Signs ICT Internship Deal With Huawei For 2000 Intakes

Nigeria, yesterday, agreed a deal with Chinese technology firm, Huawei, to provide 2000 Information and Communication Technology, ICT trainee jobs to young Nigerians in 2016 under the “Huawei’s Seeds for the Future program.”

Speaking at the signing of the agreement, Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo stated that “ICT is one of the quickest ways people can get decent jobs, so we think this is absolutely important.”

He further said that the Programme was part of the change agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to create jobs for the youth.

“In the change agenda, how to grow the economy is important, and we want to create ICT hubs and support existing ones. We thank Huawei for this initiative of advancing technology in Nigeria, apart from the job creation itself,” he said.

He remarked that the relationship between Nigeria and China is a strategic one, urging Chinese investors and business leaders to consider Nigeria for manufacturing plants.

He said the Chinese investors “should encourage not just the selling, but also the manufacturing of products in Nigeria.”

Also speaking at the event, the Chinese Ambassador,Xiaojie, stated that China was in partnership with the Buhari presidency in the “change” agenda, especially in areas like Agricultural modernization, industrialization, infrastructure, trade and investment, poverty alleviation, and peace and security among others.

The signing of the agreement was performed by the Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige and that of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, on behalf of the federal government and witnessed by the Chinese Ambassador Mr. Gu Xiaoji. Mr. Richard Cao, the Vice President of Huawei West Africa signed for the Chinese Information Communication and technology firm.

The 2000 trainees would be selected and supervised by Ministries of Labour and Communications.