By Adeola Ogunlade
The Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Professor Abiodun Adebayo has charged the youths in Ota, to take the knowledge and skills imparted to them under the Ota Youth Empowerment Digital Training seriously. He urged them to also take responsibility to empower others.
He gave this advice yesterday, at the closing Ceremony and Certificate Award Programme of the three weeks of training, organized by the University’s Community Development Impact Initiative Committee (CUCDIIC), in conjunction with Cisco Networking Academy.
While giving his address at the event, the Vice-Chancellor advised the graduands to maximize the great opportunity the platform provided to start small and build on it. He added that until one starts small today, one may not end up big tomorrow and the knowledge acquired, if not engaged, will fizzle away.
He noted that as a responsible university, the institution was interested in the development of its host community, thereby fulfilling one of the purposes of the establishment of a university; capacity building, which is one of the institution’s core values.
He then concluded by appreciating the CISCO Networking Academy, the Community Development Impact Initiative Committee (CDIIC), and other sponsors and partners that helped in the establishment of the programme, and prayed that the journey would not end here, but proceed to greater feats.
Speaking in the same vein, the Olota of Ota, HRH, Oba Abdulkabir Obalanlege appealed to the beneficiaries of the training programme to make use of the knowledge acquired, even if they have to work as volunteers to build on the knowledge. He appreciated the efforts of the university, not only for the youths; but for the Ota community as a whole. He promised to employ one of the participants in the Cinematography programme.
In his address, the Managing Director, Unites Cisco, Mr Toyin Olatayo noted that his organisation was involved in the training because of the passion for human development. “The greatest investment in life is investment in human beings. Even though investing in infrastructure is very important, it is the human beings that will drive those infrastructures.”
“All the participants are now leaving this programme as confident, creative creators of new technologies rather than being users only. They will also understand the impact of those technologies on society,” he explained.
Also speaking on the sideline at the event, the Chairperson, Covenant University Community Development Impact Initiative Committee, (CUCDIIC) Professor Tayo George, who initiated the programme, expressed the importance of digital education to society.
She said, “We know the importance of digital education in our society today and it is one of the things we do in the community development platform of the university. We try as much as possible to reach out to our host community with impactful programmes, and this is one of such laudable programmes.”
Not less than 150 youths in Ota were empowered in the digital training which included Cinematography, Cyber Security, Internet of Things (IoT), IT Essentials & Phone Repairs, Graphics, Python, Solar Panel and Web Design.
Some of the participants who distinguished themselves were presented with awards. The Changemaker Award went to Omotola Sunday Akinyeoluwa, while Smart Beyioku and Ireoluwatonde Fasanu were awarded Future Leader Awards.
