It was excitement, pomp and pageantry as Osun Development Association kicks off its first intervention and partnership with Opolo Global aimed at equipping 5000 youths in Osun State with digital skills that would not only make them empowered but also position the participants for global opportunities.
In his opening remarks at the virtual event, Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan, the Head of the Technology and Innovation Group of the association, who represented the ODA Chairman, Dr. Segun Aina, emphasized the importance of the programme in preparing the youths in Osun State for the jobs of today and the future. He said the partnership with Opolo was to provide the participants with the digital skills foundation that will spark their creativity and innovativeness making them globally relevant to create digital focused global organizations. Akinwuntan charged the participants to be challenged by the high profile of the different members of the ODA, who did not have the kind of support and resources available today in their own time as youths but still went ahead to attain greater heights in their chosen careers, for them to make good use of this opportunity. He averred that if it was possible for young people like Iyin Aboyeji, Gbenga Agboola, Ezra Olubi and Shola Akinlade to set up Flutterwave and Paystack and grew them to unicorns, there was nothing that could stop the participants from also setting up such companies with the kind of support being given to them by the association.
In her welcome speech, Head of Opolo Global Programmes and Ecosystem, Dr Shukurat Bello challenged the participants to make adequate use of the opportunity of the SkRIBE programme to equip themselves and develop their digital skills. She charged the participants to be attentive in class and reflect on their learning journey as they progress on the training.
While giving an overview of the programme, Mr. Michael Oyalana, Opolo Global Programmes Manager, welcomed the participants to the programme and said that the SkRIBE programme is meant to skill the youths to become innovators and stand on their own. He noted that the vision is to train 65,000 youths across Nigeria on Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Product Design and Management as well as other relevant digital skills. He then thanked the Osun Development Association for the partnership to train 5,000 youths in Osun in batches.
Lola Aworanti-Ekugo, a member of the ODA Technology and Innovation Group, in her statement of support said the programme was informed by the scarcity of professionals in product design, software engineering, graphics designs and others. She charged them to take the training with all the seriousness it deserves and excel. She also reassured them of the opportunity for internships for outstanding participants after the programme.
In other goodwill messages delivered by members of Osun Development Association (ODA) present, Elder Kole Olowofoyeku, Sir Dele Alimi, Mrs Nike Kolawole and Prof. Abiola Sanni charged the participants to take the training opportunity to turn their lives around. Prof. Sanni acknowledged the support of the Ife Summit Group which also further subsidized the training fees of participants from Ile Ife by paying 50% of their own commitment fees. Oluwafimihan Choice, who represented the participants, gave a vote of thanks and promised that they would live up to expectations as the training moves forward.
Osun Development Association is a non-governmental independent association established for the promotion of non-governmental development initiatives dedicated towards improving the quality of life of the people of Osun State and the development of Osun in general.
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Oluwafemi Ajayi
Great