IYC Western Zone Information Officer to Host Digital Skills Bootcamp for Ijaw Youths
The Information Officer of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Western Zone, Comrade Tare Magbei, has announced plans to host a two-day digital skills bootcamp targeted at equipping Ijaw youths with relevant media and technology competencies.
The bootcamp, titled Media Management, Content Creation, and AI Prompting Bootcamp, is scheduled to hold from February 13 to February 14, 2026. The programme will take place within the Western Zone of the IYC and is designed to address the growing need for digital literacy among young people in the region.
According to information made available, the training will focus on practical skills required in today’s fast-changing media and digital environment. These include media management, content creation strategies, and the use of artificial intelligence tools, particularly AI prompting, for effective communication and storytelling.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening youth participation in advocacy, community engagement, and narrative building across Ijaw communities in the Western Zone. Organisers say the programme is structured to provide hands-on experience rather than theoretical instruction, allowing participants to immediately apply the skills acquired.
A total of 50 participants are expected to benefit from the bootcamp. Those selected will undergo intensive training sessions designed to improve their understanding of digital media operations and emerging technology trends relevant to activism, branding, and information dissemination.
Participants will be drawn from Information Officers across the IYC Western Zone, alongside selected youths from the 24 clans that make up the zone. This approach is intended to ensure broad representation and equal access to capacity-building opportunities within the Ijaw youth structure.
Comrade Magbei, who is spearheading the initiative in his capacity as the IYC Western Zone Information Officer, said the bootcamp reflects a deliberate effort to prepare Ijaw youths for the demands of modern media engagement. He noted that effective advocacy in the current era requires a strong understanding of digital tools and platforms.
The bootcamp will also expose participants to income-earning opportunities within the media and creative industries. Organisers say sessions will highlight how skills such as content creation, digital media management, and AI-assisted workflows can be leveraged for self-employment and entrepreneurship.
The programme is being described as a timely intervention, particularly at a period when digital communication plays a critical role in shaping public discourse and advancing community interests. Observers say the initiative aligns with broader efforts to reposition Ijaw youths as active contributors in the digital space.
Stakeholders within the IYC Western Zone have welcomed the programme, noting that many youths possess interest in media and technology but lack access to structured training. The bootcamp is expected to bridge this gap by providing practical knowledge and mentorship.
Beyond skill acquisition, the training is also expected to enhance coordination among Information Officers and youth communicators within the zone. Improved media management skills are anticipated to strengthen the council’s information dissemination and advocacy strategies.
The initiative underscores the growing recognition of digital relevance as a key factor in youth empowerment. By focusing on modern tools such as AI prompting and digital storytelling, the bootcamp aims to ensure that Ijaw youths are not left behind in the evolving global media landscape.
As the February 2026 date approaches, anticipation continues to build among prospective participants and youth leaders. Many view the programme as a step toward improving employability, enhancing advocacy effectiveness, and fostering sustainable youth development within the Ijaw Nation.
