A new ICT initiative aimed at reducing the unemployment rate in the country was last weekend flagged off in Lagos.

The Foundation tagged Digital Access Foundation for Technology Development, DAFTECH, was described as a registered not-for-profit organization with an objective to provide free technology educational services, digital learning and new media services to developmental organizations, students, civil society groups, educational institutions and individuals alike.

The foundation said it gwould achieve the lofty aim with its newly introduced scheme also known as skills4Life program.

Programme Manager, West Africa for DAFTECH, Adebisi Bakinson stated that the aim of the company was to simplify technology, empower educators and inspire students to enhance their technology potential.

According to her, “we will provide a technology hub where learning and skills’ development thrives with the overall goal of reducing unemployment and creating technology entrepreneurs in Nigeria and Africa.

“We think this is necessary to bridge the widening skill-gap and create employment opportunities, so we have developed a program called Skills4Life.

The aim of the program is to provide basic and advanced courses in iOS, Android and Windows App Development, Digital Effects, Classical Character Animation, Film and Video Editing, Graphic Designs, Web and Mobile Publishing. The potential of the Digital Media industry in Nigeria is worth three billion dollars in annual revenue if properly harnessed but it is evident that we lack the high technology skills required to fully build the industry”.

She said that the programme would kick off this month with the selection of ninety participants quarterly to under go an intensive six weeks of free training in the highlighted areas in our fully equipped Classroom and Digital Studio.

She noted that at the end of each session, certificates will be awarded to participants and the best overall student gets rewarded with a MAC BOOK PRO