The Imo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding international partnerships aimed at empowering young people, as senior government officials formally briefed the Deputy Governor and the Chief of Staff on the forthcoming Nigeria–Japan Youth Game Creators Contest 2026.
The initiative, which is designed to identify, nurture and expose young Nigerian talents in game development and digital innovation to global opportunities, is being championed by the Imo State Ministry of Youth Development and Talent Hunt in collaboration with the office of the Special Adviser on Narcotics, whose foreign partners are; GigBeing Inc., Tokyo, Japan, and Ebelebe Trading & Investment Ltd.
The Honourable Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt, Dr. Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Narcotics and Illicit Drug Monitoring, Hon. Chief Ezechukwu Nnamdi Obonna, both led the visitors, Mr Taku Kato, CEO of GigBeing Inc., Japan, and Mr Okechukwu Chime, CEO of Ebelebe Trading & Investment Ltd., Mr. Okechukwu Chime. As part of their official engagements in Owerri, the delegation paid separate courtesy visits to the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Her Excellency, Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru, and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Sir Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, to intimate the state government on the objectives and expected impact of the international youth development programme.
Speaking during the visits, Dr. Ukaegbu explained that the Nigeria–Japan Youth Game Creators Contest 2026 is a strategic collaboration between the Ministry of Youth Development and Talent Hunt and GigBeing Inc., Japan, aimed at equipping young Nigerians with globally relevant digital and creative skills while creating pathways for international collaboration and innovation.
He noted that the initiative is in line with the vision of the Governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, to position Imo youths for success in the global digital economy through technology-driven capacity development and international exposure.
In his remarks, Mr. Taku Kato reaffirmed GigBeing Inc.'s commitment to supporting young Nigerian innovators through mentorship, technical collaboration and access to Japan's thriving gaming and technology ecosystem.
According to him, Imo State possesses enormous creative potential capable of producing globally competitive game developers and digital innovators, expressing confidence that the partnership would unlock fresh opportunities for talented youths across the state.
Responding on behalf of the state government, the Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, commended the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that aligns with the state's commitment to youth empowerment through technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.
She assured the delegation of the government's full support, stressing that programmes capable of preparing young people for emerging opportunities in the global digital economy would continue to receive the backing of the Hope Uzodimma administration.
Similarly, the Chief of Staff, Sir Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, applauded the Ministry of Youth Development and Talent Hunt for attracting an international collaboration that will create lasting opportunities for Imo youths.
He encouraged young people across the state to embrace the initiative and take advantage of the platform to showcase their creativity and innovative abilities before an international audience.
The delegation also visited the Imo State Ministry of E-Government and Digital Economy, where the Honourable Commissioner, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, welcomed the partnership, describing it as a major boost to the state's digital transformation agenda.
Dr. Amadi explained that the initiative complements the SkillUpImo Programme and the Governor's massive investment in the Imo Digital City, noting that both initiatives share the common objective of developing a globally competitive digital workforce.
He assured the Japanese partners of the ministry's commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the programme, emphasizing that beyond discovering talents, the initiative would harness the creativity of young people for sustainable economic development in Imo State while creating mutually beneficial opportunities for both Nigeria and Japan.
During their visit to the Imo Digital City, Mr. Taku Kato and Mr. Okechukwu Chime were conducted round the state-of-the-art facility, where they expressed admiration for its world-class digital infrastructure and the government's investment in technology-driven human capital development.
The delegation later proceeded to Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, where they interacted with students and young innovators, encouraging them to participate actively in the Nigeria–Japan Youth Game Creators Contest and leverage the initiative as a gateway to international exposure and career opportunities in the global gaming industry.
The contest is expected to further strengthen the growing bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Japan while positioning Imo State as a leading hub for digital innovation, creative technology and youth entrepreneurship in Nigeria.