Over 3,000 youths have been trained in digital skills in Oyo State during a two-day programme tagged the ‘Digital Revolution: Empowerment For The Global Economy.’
The empowerment programme, which has THX 22 Foundation, the charitable branch of 22Bet Africa, as headline sponsor, was organised by the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development in collaboration with Precision Automations.
The training, which was held at the International Conference Centre, Ibadan, focused on practical digital skills, including website creation without coding, Amazon Kindle publishing, setting up Amazon accounts, and using artificial intelligence (AI) to produce books.
The venue was filled to capacity with enthusiastic youths who were eager to take advantage of the training to improve themselves.
The youths were also trained in digital marketing and how to effectively use social media platforms for promotion and business, health impact of pathological gambling, ethical use of the Internet, and introduction to responsible gaming, where it was stressed that anybody under 18 should not be allowed to gamble.
Mostly students, the participants, who trained with laptops and smartphones, followed step-by-step guidance by Mr. Emmanuel Odah and his team from Precision Automations, the facilitators of the programme.
Chairman of the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, Falana Adebowole Adebayo, said that the essence of the programme is to reduce youth unemployment in the state, adding that having a laptop or smartphone was a key requirement for the participants.
“The world is going global, and this practical training will not only improve their lives but also help take them off the labour market,” he said, adding that this initiative is part of Oyo State’s commitment to equipping its youths with practical skills for the evolving digital world.
According to him, the training would continue online for five months, with ongoing mentorship.
The Chairman of the Implementation Committee, Ayoade Olusegun, commended the enthusiasm of the youths, and encouraged them to see each other as partners, not competitors.
“Our competition is not amongst ourselves, but with youths around the world who are already serving the global market with digital skills.
“You have come from all corners of the state, motivated by your determination for technological enlightenment; from the streets of UnderG to the rocky hills of Ado Awaye, from the slopes of Sepeteri to the estates of Iyaganku, seeking economic liberation,” he said.
Olusegun appreciated the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for making the project possible in his time. He also commended other government officials who contributed to the success of the programme.
The event was attended by several key government officials, including the Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, Seun Olufade; Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Oyo State Governor on Student Affairs, Victor Dideoluwa; Special Adviser to the Governor on Youths and Sports, Kazeem Bolarinwa; Chairman, Oyo State Agency for Youths Development, Falana Adebowale; Chairman, Implementation Committee, Ayoade Olusegun; Executive Secretary, Agency for Youth Development Oyo State, Mrs. Nancy B. Olayinka Muraina; Executive Assistant to the Governor on Administration, Rev. Idowu Ogedengbe; Social Media Management Lead 22Bet Africa, Adebayo Ajala; Head of Operations 22Bet Nigeria, Oluwafemi Olobayo; and Head of Marketing 22Bet Nigeria, Oladapo Babalola and others.
