Get Guardian on GoogleFormer Ogun State first lady and Yeye Moremi Oodua, Chief Olufunso Amosun, has empowered 70 youths in Ile-Ife, Osun State, with free training in artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital skills as part of activities marking the 2026 Edi Moremi Festival.
The beneficiaries, who formed the first batch of trainees, completed a six-week intensive programme at the YMO AI and Digital Skills Training Hub, established by Amosun to equip young people with relevant digital skills and improve their employment and entrepreneurial prospects.
Speaking at the presentation of certificates to the trainees, Amosun said the initiative was inspired by the courage, selflessness and sacrifice of Queen Moremi Ajasoro, whose historic role in the liberation of Ile-Ife remains an enduring source of inspiration.
She said the training centre, which was commissioned on September 26, was established to give children, young people, unemployed graduates and school leavers access to digital education, particularly those who could not afford such opportunities.
According to her, the centre is designed to train about 200 people every six weeks, at no cost to participants.
She urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the skills acquired, particularly by creating employment and income-generating opportunities for themselves and others.
Some of the trainees thanked Amosun for providing them with an opportunity to acquire practical skills, expressing optimism that the training would help them become self-employed and, potentially, employers of labour.
In a related intervention, Amosun sponsored free medical check-ups and eye care services for elderly residents of Ile-Ife.
The exercise provided beneficiaries with medical consultations, eye examinations and other healthcare services at no cost. She also promised follow-up support for those requiring further medical attention.
The former first lady also disbursed N5m in economic empowerment grants to market women, trade associations, widows and other members of the community to support their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
She said the money was distributed among 15 associations operating at Oja Titu Market in Ile-Ife, with widows and other vulnerable residents also benefiting.
Amosun explained that the funds would operate as revolving loans, with the associations responsible for identifying members who needed financial support.
“We provided an empowerment grant of N5m, which was distributed among the market associations to support their businesses through revolving loans”.
“The idea is for the associations to pool the money together and decide which of their members would benefit from the loans. We intend to return in about a year to assess the impact of the intervention,” she said.
Speaking at the event, the wife of the Ooni of Ife, Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, praised Amosun for extending economic support to women, men and other vulnerable groups in the community.
She described the interventions as evidence of Amosun’s commitment to grassroots development and improving the living conditions of residents.
The festival also featured the 11th edition of the Yeye Moremi Beauty Pageant, organised by Amosun, with Miss Adegoke Nana Aisha emerging winner of the 2026 Queen Moremi Ajasoro Cultural Pageant.
The winner received a new car, N1m in cash and automatic employment.
The first runner-up, Oluwatunmishe Akinyele, received N750,000 and an employment opportunity, while the second runners-up were each awarded N500,000, alongside automatic employment opportunities.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, commended Amosun for sustaining the initiative.
He said the employment opportunities offered to the top four contestants would expose them to international engagements and provide opportunities to travel around the world.
