Ogun State government has intensified its digital skills empowerment drive with the training of over 10,000 youths across the state, a move aimed at equipping young people with relevant technological knowledge for self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
The ongoing free programme, which focuses on repair, management and marketing of digital tools, is being implemented through a partnership between the state government and Cybervilla, a leading tech firm.
The training is taking place at Ogun TechHub, Kobape Road, Abeokuta.
Beneficiaries of the programme have continued to pour encomiums on Governor Dapo Abiodun, describing the initiative as timely, impactful and a major pathway to tackling unemployment.
One of the beneficiaries, Uduakobong Akpan, who spoke during a hands-on training session, said the quality of the facilities and tutors made learning easier for participants.
According to him, “This training is so unique and expensive due to the sophistication of the training gadgets, which I have never seen before.”
As a matter of fact, there is no way I could have gotten the money to pay for such classes if it was not made free by Ogun State government, because I am a fresh graduate looking for a white collar job.”
“But now that I have benefited from one of the Youth Empowerment Initiatives of Prince Dapo Abiodun, assuredly I can establish my own business,” he added.
Another participant, Ibukunoluwa Ayodeji, said the training had changed his perception of ICT repairs, noting that it was simpler than he imagined.
“With the quality training sessions at Ogun TechHub, my dream of becoming a Tech Engineer has been actualized. I can now work in any tech company as well as set up my own tech outfit,” he explained.
Speaking on behalf of other trainees, Timilehin Ajisebutu appreciated the state government for the initiative, noting that the project would drastically reduce unemployment.
“Youth Empowerment Initiatives of Prince Dapo Abiodun is so intentional, making it a top notch in Nigeria as it will cut off a certain percentage of unemployment. With all we have learnt so far as well as start-up tools promised to be given to us, we will be self-reliant and employers of labour,” he said.
The state government assured that the initiative would be sustained and expanded, stressing that digital empowerment remains a critical component of its economic development strategy.
