As part of efforts to encourage formal and informal skills that are pivotal to Job Creation and economic growth, Rise Networks, the leading Learning, Research and Work Readiness Centre has unveiled ‘THE WORK PLAN’, Africa’s First Private Sector Led Collaborative Platform for Policy Makers, Private Sector, Academia, Techies & Young People.

Speaking to Journalists, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, Founder of Rise Networks stated that Africa’s Young people “should be trained to perform not to be taught to simply memorize”. According to her, The WORKPLAN 2019 which will host 1500 Participants from across Nigeria is a one day action & policy focused event which will take place on Tuesday, 17th of December 2019 (today) at The Pistis Hub, 1a Ikorodu Road, Behind Mobil Filling Station, Maryland, Lagos, Nigeria.

“The Rise Labs Artifiical Intelligence Ideathon, a competition organised for AI Experts & Enthusiasts to proffer solutions to some of Nigeria’s most daunting challenges in Healthcare, Financial Inclusion, Education & Agriculture using AI Concepts will also be unveiled at the Event.

“Attendance is FREE but by Registration is on theworkplan.risenetworks.org. After the Event, Rise Networks will work with stakeholder groups across the public, private and development sectors to implement the expected outcomes of THE WORKPLAN 2019 one of which is to ensure that Data Science related Subjects such as AI, Advanced Analytics & Machine Learning are included in the course curriculum of 6 Tertiary Institutions in the nation as a Pilot and students from across faculties and departments can cross register & take these courses as electives and get credit for it such that they have the skills the marketplace needs upon graduation”, she said.

She further stated that the Program is being hosted under the Patronage of Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the Africa Development Bank. “The Opening Keynote will be delivered by His Highness Muhammad Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano while the Closing Keynote will be done by Dr. Matthew Opoku- Prempeh, Ghana’s Minister of Education with the sponsorship support of The World Bank, Interswitch, GIZ, Africa Development Bank, Canon, Bank of Industry & The International Labour Organization.

“Other Speakers include Juliet Ehimuan, Country Manager, Google Nigeria, Dr. Olatunde Adekola of the World Bank, Dr. Dennis Zulu, Director, Sub- Saharan Africa, International Labour Organization, Odun Eweniyi, Co-Founder/COO PiggyVest, Adetayo Bamiduro, Co-founder Max.ng, Mrs. Toyin Adeniji, Executive Director, Micro Enterprises, Bank of Industry, Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour & Employment & Dr. Ola Brown of Flying Doctors Nigeria”, she added.