Foundation establishes digital learning hub in Abuja for young graduates
By Deborah Coker
The Richard George Foundation (RGF), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), on Friday in Abuja, inaugurated its digital learning hub established for young talented graduates.
Mr Richard George, Founder RGF, while briefing newsmen shortly after the inauguration, said that it was expected that the facility would serve as a knowledge hub for young talented graduates.
George said that the vision of the Foundation was to start raising young talented Africans who would become real change makers.
”Because we believe that those whose the world has not changed are those ones who will absolutely change the world. And, we want to play a part in this, ” he said.
He explained that RGF was an organisation set up to provide empowerment for young talented graduates, adding that the pillars of the Foundation were three fold
He said the fold included skills acquisition development, which could be technical or soft skill.
Others he said included education, which was not in the formal structure as was common, and then entrepreneurship opportunities.
The founder added that it was hoped that the facility would provide an opportunity for it to begin to birth concept and ideas that will become the start up business for tomorrow’s young talented Nigerians.
He disclosed that the NGO was just nine months old as it was birthed in 2023, adding that the Foundation was anxious to hit a key milestone.
“This is part of the milestone, before we turn one year,” he said.
He also disclosed that since the birth of the Foundation, no fewer than 52 mentees had been mentored in the first cohort, adding that another 50 mentees were being unburdened to commence the second cohort mid October.
“It is a continuous exercise and our mentorship programme is designed for only six months at a time.
“And, we also create opportunities for the mentees to undertake internship in several organisations that are partnering with us or supporting our vision.
“We also provide opportunity for them to continue their learning or chose a different career part,” he said.
George noted that several challenges poses limitations which hamper young men and women in Nigeria as discovered Foundation through research.
He said this included inabilities of several young graduates to own laptops or devices for continuous learning improvement, resources for data, and internet connectivity and reliability.
“These limitations affect the continuous growth of mindset of several of the nation’s young talents.
“So, before they go into employment, they lack the skills to be able to function in organised setting,” he said.
He further said that unemployment had social issues and consequences for the demographics (18 to 35) years, which the Foundation was focusing on.
“Increase in unemployment from the research by KPMG is pointing to 43 per cent, which means we are talking of a ticking time bomb.
“Having this type of facility is an opportunity for them to transfer energy into a place where engagement, communication, teamwork will thrive .
“And, our job is to ensure that the mentorship against our ethos and principles embedded as customer practice so as to become real change makers,” George said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the symbolic tape cutting of the facility was done by Mrs Astrid Arens, President/Founder, Voice Aid Association, Germany, one of the partners of the Foundation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola
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