An intensive digital training for media practitioners, organised by the Abia State Government to deepen digital literacy and modernise media practice in the state, has ended in Umuahia.

The five-day event which ran from Monday to Friday was organised by the Office of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor (CPS).

Speaking at the close of the programme, the CPS, Kalu Ukoha, commended the facilitators for doing a great job.

He said that Governor Alex Otti’s administration had made significant investments to ensure that civil servants and young Abia State residents were empowered digitally through its flagship, TechRise programme.

Mr Ukoha urged the media to leverage the opportunity to upskill and remain relevant in the evolving media space by engaging in further digital training.

In an interview after the training, the Lead Facilitator, UI/UX and Product Management Lead at Learn Factory Nigeria, Everest Olekaibe, said the participants demonstrated strong commitment throughout the duration of the exercise.

“For five days, we provided a foundation in ICT for members of the press in Abia,” Mr Olekaibe said.

He said that the curriculum covered computer basics, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Canva design, and ended with AI and AI prompting.

He said, “A good number of them were serious with the class. It will help them in their media work, especially in designs, magazines, editing, transcribing, and voice transformation.

“AI has made it easier. By applying what they’ve learnt, I believe most of them will work more efficiently and save more time. Technology has come to stay. AI has come to stay.

“When you keep shouting that AI is taking your job, the truth is that those embracing AI are taking your job because they are being upskilled. We are no longer in the analogue era.”

(NAN)