As part of efforts to empower youths through the skills acquisition and provision of equipment to be self-reliant for a sustainable future, the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development at the weekend held a two-day digital skills development for selected in-school youths in terminal education levels between Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7, 2024, at the Local Government House, Secretariat, Ibadan.
The 100 beneficiaries are part of a set of youths that will be taken in instalments to learn digital skills to equip them for life in a society that is now driven by technology so they can operate at the level of other digital-savvy youths across the country and globally as well as position them to be able to make money from technology rather than waste resources and time on social media platforms.
The youths were taught relevant technological skills that bordered on forex automation and innovation and required aspects of financial technology by seasoned instructors who had what it takes to set them on the path of financial independence via technology.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, Victor Olojede, said in a world where digital skills is a must, the training is a testament to the good efforts of Governor Seyi Makinde, adding that the training is part of efforts to ensure that youths in Oyo State can operate in line with best practices and also ensure that they are not derailed by wrong exposure to technology.
He lauded the chairman of the Agency for Youth Development for understanding that government is a continuous process and his commitment to ensuring that the programmes put together to make life better for youths in the state are not neglected on the altar of having his own projects.
He urged the youths to ensure they make good use of the opportunity, put the skills learnt to use and be financially independent, urging them to strive to be the best so they can also become trainers for fellow youths and proud ambassadors of Oyo State.
The chairman of the agency, Adebayo Falana Adebowale said he is passionate about the programme because it is basically focused on benefitting the lives of youths who will lift the state to great heights, adding that the training is not a one-off programme and many more youths will benefit as the state government is committed to ensuring youths in the state evolve to be the best they can in terms of technological advancement.
He stated that the world is changing practically on a daily basis and it is imperative for government to provide youths with the necessary skills to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape, adding that “the critical role of technology in today’s society cannot be understated; we live in an age where technology dictates the pace of progress. It is essential for our youth to be equipped with the skills needed to thrive in this rapidly changing environment.”
While pointing out that those lacking digital skills risk becoming unemployable, regardless of their educational background, he emphasised that “our goal is to enhance their competitiveness in the labour market and promote self-reliance. This programme is not just about acquiring digital skills; it’s about unlocking potential. Participants will learn to harness technology for problem-solving, fostering creativity and critical thinking.”
According to him, the training is not the only proramme put up to better the lives of youths, adding that 3000 youths are currently undergoing a six-month training on diverse skills like digital marketing, web design, Amazon Kindle Publishing and leveraging artificial intelligence to provide them with a competitive edge in the business world.
He added that the 3000 are part of the 12, 000 youths that were selected for a transformative initiative aimed at equipping 12,000 youths with essential digital skills to prepare them for the demands of the modern workforce.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the agency, Busola Muraina explained that the programme was designed to empower in-school youths with the knowledge and tools required in specialties like forex automation and innovations as part of setting them on the path of financial independence through financial technologies.
She said the beneficiaries are selected among in-school youths in terminal educational classes to prepare them for the next step of life.
She further urged the youths not to take for granted the opportunity which he said the agency painstakingly put together to ensure that youths have lasting legacies in line with the state government’s efforts to ensure they enjoy the dividends of democracy.
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