Members of the Victoria Garden City (VGC) Sub-council of the Knights of Saint Mulumba (KSM) have launched a capacity-building program aimed at closing digital skills gaps among Nigerian college graduates.

The VGC Sub-council said the initiative, which began at the weekend with a first cohort of 23 beneficiaries, is the first of two cohorts planned annually.

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The youth empowerment initiative has been formalized as a sustainable digital empowerment platform under the KSM VGC Digital Skills Acquisition Program. According to a statement made available to Oracle Intelligence, the program is designed to align faith-based values with practical solutions to unemployment and skills shortages in Nigeria.

The Worthy Grand Knight (WGK), Sir Tony Ukairo, officially launched Cohort One with the admission of 23 trainees drawn from diverse backgrounds and selected for training in future-ready digital skills.

The programme adopts a flexible instructional model that combines live and recorded online sessions, expert-led instruction and practical simulations to ensure measurable learning outcomes.

Institutional support and training facilities are being provided by leaders of the VGC Sub-council, including Sir Anthony Chiejina, Worthy Deputy Grand Knight; Bro Yemi Bankole, Worthy Chancellor; and course instructors Sir Peter Iwuegbu and Bro Dike Ukaegbu.

Designed to equip participants with in-demand digital competencies, the initiative focuses on enhancing employability, entrepreneurship and self-reliance in an increasingly digital economy. The training follows a hands-on approach, exposing participants to digital marketing, web development, data analytics and cybersecurity, among other key areas.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Sir Ukairo underscored the program’s philosophy of empowerment over dependency, drawing inspiration from Matthew 4:19: “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

He explained that the program is structured to teach sustainable skills rather than provide temporary relief, enabling participants to become self-sufficient contributors in the digital space.

“The goal is to ensure participants learn by doing,” he said. “Through interactive sessions and real-world projects, they will be empowered to catch their own fish and thrive in the global digital economy.”

The trainees were also formally welcomed with a goodwill message from the Sub-council, which encouraged discipline, consistency, collaboration and curiosity throughout the learning process. The message emphasized that digital skills are no longer optional but essential for competitiveness in today’s world.