A prominent member of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Otunba Henry Ajomale, has urged well-meaning individuals to prepare teenagers and youths for the future by helping them acquire relevant skills, especially in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Ajomale made this call while delivering his remarks at the graduation ceremony of an intensive ICT training programme organised by Oliyide Poverty Alleviation Solutions (OPAS Africa), held on Thursday in Okota, Lagos.
The former Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties and erstwhile chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos commended the organiser, Ayodele Oliyide, for his selfless commitment to grooming teenagers and youths. He also urged others to emulate the initiative.
“This is a good project. No knowledge is wasted. If they have the knowledge of ICT, it adds to what they can become tomorrow. I appreciate what Barrister Oliyide has done in encouraging children to aspire to greater heights. If they remain focused, this alone can put food on their tables. This is not the first time he has done this, and if more people can emulate him, it will go a long way in reducing poverty among our people,” Ajomale remarked.
In his remarks, Oliyide described the free, two-month-long intensive training programme for secondary school students and young school leavers, the third edition of its kind, as a way of exposing them to the world of ICT and providing them with a solid foundation.
He explained that the training, organised in partnership with Justice Forum in Oshodi-Isolo constituency 2, was part of his NGO’s mission to alleviate poverty and give back to society, ultimately to “heal the world and make it a better place.”
According to him, beneficiaries were drawn from across Isolo and Ejigbo LCDAs, representing various socio-political groups, and were taken through the basics of desktop publishing and cyber security.
“It’s all about giving back to society. It’s not that I have much, but I just have the will to do it. ICT is the future of the world, and I believe these students will be inspired to keep moving forward,” Oliyide noted.
A philomath himself, the architect and legal practitioner urged the students to build on their new skills and further explore Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other in-demand tech fields, while also encouraging parents to give them the needed support.
“They were introduced to cyber security and desktop publishing, which covers so much. I expect them to build on what they have learnt and also explore AI, because that will define the future of the world,” he stressed.
Oliyide also appreciated those who supported the programme, including Alhaji Mukaila Ajao, who donated part of his guest house to serve as the training centre.
One of the dignitaries, Mrs. Olufunke Johnson, lauded the initiative as a remarkable endeavour and pledged ₦2.5 million to support the programme.
Speaking with two of the beneficiaries, Adebisi Leah and Oluwabusayo Rachael, they attested to the intensity of the training and promised to build on the knowledge gained, with the ambition of carving out niches for themselves in the ICT industry.
The event also featured the presentation of awards to the best graduating students: Raji Amirat (1st place), Adebisi Leah (2nd place), and Nwakibo Favour (3rd place) as well as donation of laptops.
Other political leaders, councilors, and proud parents of the graduating students were also in attendance.
