No fewer than 150 youths in Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos, have completed a digital skills training programme organised by the council, as part of efforts to deepen technology adoption and prepare young people for opportunities in the global digital economy.
The participants received training in digital literacy, social media and digital marketing, cloud computing, cybersecurity awareness, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI), reflecting a broad curriculum designed to align with emerging global trends.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at the council secretariat on Thursday, the LCDA Chairman, David Odunmbaku, described the initiative as a strategic investment in human capital and a step towards building a digitally empowered society.
“It is a testament to the power of knowledge, and a significant milestone in our collective journey towards a digitally empowered future,” he said.
“We have equipped these graduates with the necessary tools to navigate and dominate the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
Odunmbaku explained that the programme, tagged “Building Blocks of Future,” was structured to move beyond basic digital training and focus on specialised skills that can be monetised in today’s technology-driven economy. He noted that the latest edition introduced participants to practical applications, including online security and the commercial use of digital platforms.
According to him, the council has continued to expand its digital initiatives under its HEYS Reloaded agenda, targeting both youths and younger students across the LCDA.
“Under our HEYS Reloaded agenda, this administration has trained 2,631 primary and 2,168 secondary school pupils in digital skills,” he said.
“We have upgraded the council’s official website, built the Ojodu Works App, distributed laptops, and launched an Electronic Medical Records platform.”
He urged the graduates to leverage their newly acquired skills to build sustainable careers and contribute to solving societal challenges through innovation and technology.
“You walk out here with the confidence to pitch a client. It means you understand the risks of the cloud and can protect a business,” Odunmbaku added.
“You all are now the ambassadors of this programme. Go out there and globalise your skills.”
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Chartered IT Professionals, South Africa, Seun Adegelu, said the training had positioned participants to compete effectively in the global digital marketplace. He commended the council for prioritising digital capacity development and encouraged more young people to take advantage of similar initiatives.
Reacting on behalf of the beneficiaries, Adetunji Rashidat said the programme had enhanced participants’ capabilities and created new economic opportunities.
“It has added to my existing skills; it is an eye-opener. The skill will make us go global,” she said.
“As a teacher, it will improve my work performance. This is an additional skill that will fetch us additional money.”
Highlights of the event included the presentation of laptops to top-performing graduates such as Adedeji Elizabeth, Adetunji Rashidat, Olanrewaju Babalola, and Segbedji Fernando, who are expected to proceed to South Africa for advanced training.
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