The Executive Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council, Hon. Bar John Kyohroh Christopher, has officially flagged off the Jos North Digital Skills Training Programme, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, innovation, and digital transformation.

The flag-off ceremony, held at Jos North Council Secretariat in Jos attracted government officials, development partners, technology experts, community leaders, youth groups, and more than 200 hundreds participants selected across all wards of the council for the training programme.

Speaking during the event, Hon. Christopher described digital skills as one of the most valuable assets in today’s technology-driven world, stressing that the initiative was designed to equip young people with practical knowledge that would enhance their employability, entrepreneurship, and participation in the global digital economy.
According to the chairman, the training programme aligns with his administration’s vision of creating opportunities for young people and reducing unemployment through capacity development and innovation.He noted that the world is rapidly transitioning into a knowledge-based economy where digital competencies have become essential for success in virtually every sector. He therefore urged beneficiaries to take the training seriously and maximize the opportunity provided by the council.

“Digital skills are no longer optional; they are a necessity. Through this programme, we are investing in our youths and preparing them for the future. We want our young people to become creators of opportunities rather than seekers of opportunities,” he stated.
Hon. Christopher further explained that the initiative forms part of the council’s broader agenda to promote technology-driven development, improve access to digital opportunities, and position Jos North as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
The chairman also highlighted previous efforts by his administration to strengthen information and communication technology infrastructure within the council, including the establishment of ICT facilities aimed at improving service delivery and digital governance.

In their goodwill messages, representatives of partner organizations and ICT experts Kenule Africa (Legit) commended the Jos North Local Government Council for investing in human capital development. They noted that digital literacy and technology-related skills have become critical tools for economic growth, innovation, and job creation.

The training programme is expected to expose participants to various areas of digital technology, including computer literacy, digital marketing , online productivity tools, digital entrepreneurship, cybersecurity awareness, content creation, data management, Graphics design, website design and more as Explained by Kenole Africa Legit the partner Team for the Training.
Participants expressed appreciation to the council for providing the opportunity, describing the programme as timely and impactful. Many noted that the training would improve their chances of securing employment, starting businesses, and competing effectively in an increasingly digital world.

The flag-off ceremony also featured goodwill messages from from, The Commissioner of Science Technology and Innovation Dr Cletus Bako Shirkuk who appreciated the Chairman for making this initiative a reality because empowering youths with digital skills is one good way of creating employment as it is one of The present Government’s key objective of making plateau a digital incline state.

The Director of Plateau State Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (PICTDA) Engr Dantong Dominic also expressed his gratitude to the Chairman of Jos North for being the first Local Government Chairman on the plateau to empower young people with digital skills and also make sure that the council staff are all well equipped with digital knowledge. He went forward to encourage the participants to take advantage of what they will learn and also put it into practice.

The CEO of Blockfuse Lab Mr Peter emphasized on their efforts to make sure that the participants get the best digital skills that will make them successful in life and help place them on a pedestal where they will make money practicing what they will be learn..

Plateau Youth Council Chairman of Jos North Com Paul Mancha also gave his voice by appreciating the executive Chairman of Jos North for taking it upon himself to empower the youths of Jos North with digital skills as this program will do a lot of reducing unemployment in communities and the state at large.

Other Observers described the initiative as a significant step towards addressing youth unemployment and bridging the digital skills gap within Jos North and Plateau State at large.
With the successful launch of the programme, beneficiaries are expected to undergo intensive 1 month training sessions that will equip them with practical and market-relevant digital competencies, positioning them for greater productivity and economic empowerment.

The event concluded with the official declaration of the training programme open by Hon. John Kyohroh Christopher, who reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding opportunities for youths and fostering sustainable development through education, technology, and innovation.

USA-based sprinter Blessing Ogundiran overcame travel disruptions and an exhausting four-day journey from the United States to emerge as Nigeria’s fastest woman after winning the women’s 100m title at the Commonwealth Games Trials in Lagos on Monday.

Competing at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex, Ogundiran produced a brilliant run of 11.12 seconds (-0.5m/s) to claim victory in a highly competitive final and secure the national crown.

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The newly crowned champion revealed after the race that her preparation for the event was far from ideal, having endured a lengthy trip caused by weather-related challenges in the United States.

“It was a tough time getting here after traveling for almost four days due to what happened in the US (storm), but I am grateful to God that I am going back with the title,” Ogundiran said.
She added that the advice from her coach before the race played a key role in helping her stay composed under pressure.

“When I was at the start block, I was thinking of what my coach told me—that I should just execute my race and not panic—and that was exactly what I did.”

Ogundiran was pushed all the way by the impressive Miracle Ezechukwu, who clocked a personal best of 11.15 seconds to finish second.

Her performance also earned her qualification for the Ben Aghazu Excellence in Athletics Prize, an initiative established to reward outstanding performances by home-based athletes.

Another USA-based sprinter, Olayinka Olajide, completed the podium places with a time of 11.28 seconds.
Ezechukwu’s remarkable run received special praise from Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Second Vice President, Akuchukwu Aghazu, the initiator of the Excellence in Athletics Prize.

“This is exactly what the Excellence in Athletics Prize was created to achieve – to inspire our athletes to push beyond limits and believe in their abilities,” Aghazu said.

“Seeing Miracle Ezechukwu achieve the benchmark with a personal best performance is rewarding. It shows that when athletes are given motivation and a platform to compete, they respond positively.”
Aghazu reiterated her commitment to supporting athletes based in Nigeria and hailed the overall quality of competition on display.

“Our home-based athletes are incredibly talented. They deserve recognition, encouragement and opportunities to excel.

The Excellence in Athletics Prize is about celebrating hard work, dedication and excellence, and today’s performances have justified that vision.”

Elsewhere, Olympian Chukwuebuka Enekwechi claimed the men’s shot put title with a throw of 21.46m, securing the national crown for the fifth consecutive time since representing Nigeria, while Oyesade Oyetayo won the men’s hammer throw with 65.07m.

The men’s 100m competition also gathered momentum, with Favour Ashe, Chidera Ezeakor, Fakorede Adekalu, Tejiri Godwin, and Enoch Adegoke all progressing to Tuesday’s semifinals and final after winning their respective heats.

In the 400m semifinals, top contenders including Patience Okon-George, IyanuOluwa Aderemi (51.86s PB), Taiwo Kudoro, Faith Ezechukwu, Jecinter Lawrence, and Becky Ebiyadi booked places in the women’s final.

In the men’s category, Emmanuel Ojeli, Sikiru Adeyemi, Victor Sampson, Samson Nathaniel, Victory Achakpoekri, and Tyler Johnson advanced to the final.

The final day of the trials will feature the men’s and women’s 200m finals, the 400m finals, as well as the 100m and 110m hurdles events.

The event attracted several athletics legends and stakeholders, including Mary Onyali, Solomon Ogba, Chief Malik Itiako Ikpokpo, Hameed Adio, Gloria Obajimi and Emilia Edet, who witnessed another memorable chapter in Nigeria’s growing athletics resurgence.