Hundreds of youths in Oyo State, including 210 beneficiaries drawn from Ibadan South-West/North-West Federal Constituency and other parts of the state, have benefited from a digital skills training and empowerment programme facilitated by the Member representing the constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Dhikrullahi Adedeji Olajide, popularly known as Odidiomo.
The 10-day programme, organised in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), trained participants in digital marketing, cybersecurity basics, remote work, artificial intelligence, and technology-driven entrepreneurship.
At the end of the training, beneficiaries received laptops and cash support to help them begin careers and businesses in the digital economy.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, Hon. Olajide said the initiative was designed to tackle youth unemployment and prepare young people for opportunities in the technology space.
He said, “Today marks not just the end of a training exercise, but the beginning of a new journey for 210 young men and women who have been equipped with relevant digital skills to compete in today’s evolving technology-driven world.”
According to him, the laptops and financial support were meant to serve as practical tools for innovation and self-reliance.
“The laptops and financial support provided are not just gifts, but a call to action for you to create, innovate and become contributors to the economy,” he stated.
The federal lawmaker, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Digital, Information Communication Technology and Cybersecurity, said he had consistently invested in youth development through technology-focused initiatives.
He added, “Over the past six years, I have facilitated the training and empowerment of over 2,475 youths across Oyo State, supported the establishment of five digital training hubs, and provided scholarship opportunities to students. These are deliberate steps towards building a future-ready society.”
Hon. Olajide also praised Governor Seyi Makinde for laying a solid developmental foundation in Oyo State, noting that his governorship aspiration was driven by a desire to sustain and expand existing achievements.
He said, “We will not stop the wheel of progress. Rather, we will consolidate on existing gains and expand into new frontiers that will position Oyo State as a leading subnational economy in Nigeria.”
Outlining part of his vision, he promised to pursue broadband expansion across all local government areas, establish innovation hubs, and deepen digital skills programmes in coding, artificial intelligence, and other tech vocations.
A representative of NITDA, Mr. Eedris Faruk, said the participants were trained in digital literacy, responsible online engagement, AI tools, and online business setup to improve their chances in education, entrepreneurship, and employment.
Some beneficiaries who spoke at the event commended the lawmaker for what they described as a life-changing intervention.
One of them said, “This programme has opened our eyes to new opportunities. We now have skills, laptops, and support to start something meaningful.”
Others declared support for Hon. Olajide, describing him as youth-friendly, forward-looking, and committed to the future of Oyo State.
