THE RELEVANCE OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN EMPOWERMENT AND EMPLOYMENT GENERATION FOR YOUTH IN ABIA STATE

Abstract

The world is in the center of information communication technology revolution. Information Technology is an apparatus that can assist persons develop their consciousness and capacity for empowering themselves. It offers people a better understanding of the technology and its efficacy in people’sdaily lives. Its use should increase access to information which leads to possible ways of
improving people’s wellbeing. This research work is an attempt to see how pastoral and municipal communities in Abia State can be empowered, through information technology (ICT) to reduce their poverty levels. The study is focused on the impact of ICT on income generation, employment and productivity. The research was conducted using structured questionnaire to get the views of the
stakeholders. The responses from the questionnaires are analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The findings from the result revealed the following: the underprivileged can be empowered through ICT. Empowering people through ICT will boost their proceeds generation. It is observed that most organizations needed people who are ICT empowered. Information communication technology
empowerment is found to enlarge job opportunities for people and also increase production.

Keywords- Information Technology, Empowerment, Income generation, Employment,