Ojoto Diaspora Fuels Youth Empowerment Through Tech Training Initiative

 

In a transformative push to equip young people in Ojoto community, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, with globally relevant digital skills, no fewer than 43 youths have commenced a comprehensive online software training program. The initiative, championed by the Ojoto Union North America (OUNA), aims to empower these participants with expertise in computer programming, software development, and cloud computing.

Launched with pomp and purpose at two strategic venues—St. Mark’s Parish Church in Okpuno and St. Paul’s Parish Church in Obofia—the program is set to not only redefine the future for participating youths but also signal a shift in how diaspora communities are influencing grassroots development at home.

Dr. Mrs. Chiko Ugokwe-Udemba, National President of OUNA and a seasoned high school educator in the United States with over three decades of experience, addressed participants during the launch ceremony. With an unmistakable blend of passion and pragmatism, she underscored the high stakes and greater purpose of the initiative.

“I made a vow to assist my community,” Ugokwe-Udemba stated. “This program involves 43 youths, and within two weeks, they will face their first set of exams. Our plan is to select 24 successful candidates, but if performance exceeds expectations, we may consider taking up to 36.”

The training is fully funded by contributions from members of the Ojoto community residing in North America. Each participant represents an investment of approximately $560, covering training logistics, access to digital resources, and provision of computing equipment. Beyond the training itself, the community has invested around $40,000 in hardware procurement—computers, solar lighting systems, and other essential tools to facilitate uninterrupted learning.

“This is not a handout. We expect commitment, discipline, and focus from all beneficiaries,” she said, noting that the opportunity is both rare and significant. “Once a participant is removed from the program due to poor attendance or lack of seriousness, there’s no second chance. We’re accountable to the people whose sweat made this possible.”

In return, beneficiaries are expected to give back to the community, a gesture seen as both a moral obligation and a sustainable way to expand the impact of the program.

Present at the occasion was His Royal Highness, Igwe Gerald Mbamalu, traditional ruler of Ojoto, who lauded the initiative, describing it as a divine intervention for the community’s youth.

“This is happening at God’s time,” Igwe Mbamalu remarked. “We are proud of our women in North America. This is not just empowerment—it is transformation. They’ve built roads for us in the past. Now, they are building futures. That’s evolution.”

The monarch also highlighted how such initiatives help combat social ills, noting a marked reduction in vices within the community. “We’ve moved away from land speculation and sales as our economic identity. Now we are exporting knowledge and preparing our children for a digital economy,” he said. “In 15 to 20 years, I want to ask these youths, ‘How far have you gone?’ and I expect proud answers.”

High Chief Barrister Ernest Obunadike, President General of the Ojoto community, echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging the relentless support from the women in the diaspora.

“This project is not their first, and it surely won’t be their last,” Obunadike said. “They’ve built infrastructure. Now they’re opening doors to the international market for our youth. Whether or not our children end up working in America, this training will make them globally competitive.”

He recalled that both he and the Igwe were invited to the U.S. by the union during the early planning stages of the program. That visit, he noted, was instrumental in turning the vision into a reality.

Also in attendance were community and religious leaders, including Rev. C. Sunday Arthur Nnalue, parish priest of St. Mark’s Anglican Church, as well as former leaders and members of Ojoto Union North America, all showing strong support for the initiative.

As the program gains momentum, optimism is high that this model—anchored in diaspora partnership, grassroots organization, and a shared vision for the future—could be replicated in other communities seeking meaningful, modern, and lasting development.