Group empowers 100 youths with tech, business skills in Ogun community

The Youth Wing of the Akute West Area Community Development Committee (proposed), AW-CDC, has trained 100 young people in various Information and Communication Technology skills, including content creation and marketing, affiliate marketing, and financial trading.

The two-day empowerment programme, held at SALIB Hotel & Suites on Felix Lowen Crescent, Akute, under Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, attracted senior secondary school students, school leavers, and other young adults residing in the area.

According to a statement released on Saturday, facilitators at the event provided hands-on training in relevant digital skills.

Speaking during the session on content creation and marketing, Mr Tope Smith urged participants to create original videos that connect with their target audience. Similarly, affiliate marketing tutor, Oluwapelumi Igbinlade, encouraged the youths to take the course seriously and strive for a comprehensive understanding of the field.

Mr Akintunde Akintayo, who facilitated the session on financial trading, focused extensively on forex trading, cryptocurrency, and Binance. He explained that cryptocurrency is a legitimate form of digital finance.

“Crypto is not a scam, but a way of trading and storing money in digital form,” he said. “An understanding of it will ultimately make the participants wealthier.”

The statement noted that in a session on wealth creation and character development, investment banker Mr Albert Owolabi advised the youths to focus on education and values.

As youths, focus on your education and getting a skill that can be developed into a career and earn you money,” he said. “Education is not a scam. Without academic or financial literacy, you cannot make headway in life.”

Youth leader of AW-CDC, Mukadam Awayewaserere, said the initiative was driven by the rise in unemployment and the increasing involvement of youths in illicit activities.

“We observed that a good number of youths in Akute and beyond engage in internet fraud, known locally as ‘Yahoo Yahoo’. This inspired us to embark on this project to catch them young and possibly take them off the streets,” he said. “As a music producer involved in entertainment, I have seen poverty and lack of ideas rob young people of basic necessities and the chance to live their dreams.”

Chairman of the AW-CDC (proposed), Oluwatoyin Kadiri, commended the youth wing for bringing the training to reality after two years of planning. He also appreciated the Community Development Association Chairmen and Chairpersons for their support.

“My advice to the numerous participants is to make use of what they have learnt to better their lives,” he said.

Among the dignitaries present were the executives of AW-CDC, including Elder Oluwatoyin Kadiri (Chairman); Chief Ignatius Ogbonna (Vice Chairman); Alhaji Chief A.A. Anjuwon; Mr Lawal (PRO); Grand Patron of AW-CDC, Alhaji Mubarak; Chairperson of Akute Central CDC, Mrs Moradehun Ogundele; Chairman of Akute Area CDC, Chief Oladapo Shomoye; and Chairman of Denro/Ishasi Area CDC, Chief Mosuro Adedojon.