*Oodua Foundation launches project, targets 137 LGAs in South West
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Odu’a Investment Foundation today, launched Digital Education for Innovation and Economic Development (DEFINED) for both primary and secondary schools across the South West states.
Speaking at the official launching of the innovation held at the Ikeja Airport Hotel, the foundation’s Chairperson, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, said for Digital Education for Innovation and Economic Development.(DEFINED) project is another significant digital step towards having a smart, globally competitive youth
According to Ambassador Awolowo-Dosumu, the project is the introduction of Byte Busters coding clubs in all our primary and secondary schools across the South West, adding that members of the foundation have taken a significant step in achieving the mandate of the Foundation with the formal launch of DEFINED Project l.
” Our young ones are our future. The youth are the drivers of development all over the world. A well-trained and properly kitted youth population will not only birth an economically viable society but will also engender the safety of all. As the Foundation grows, we pray that we are able to harness the talents and enthusiasm of all well-meaning members of the South-West towards accomplishing the best from this developmental initiative”, she said.
Ambassador Awolowo-Dosumu added, “As we can see from the name of the initiative we are launching today, it is about using education and innovation to drive economic development for the good of all. Our young ones cannot hunt the bird of tomorrow with yesterday’s stones’.
” This is the age of digital learning and smart jobs. We need to ensure that our youths are equipped with the right education and the right skills which, we believe, will make them not only relevant but competitive in an increasingly technology-driven world. You must have what the market needs before you can sell. That is why we must give our young ones the skills and the opportunity to compete and excel on the global stage. That is the whole essence of today’s event.”
Stressing importance of the DEFINED innovation, she said, “The initiative targets pupils and students but also, quite naturally, incorporates the potential for the creation of tech hubs for appropriate skills acquisition for young adults. The entire project focuses more on children within the public school system and the less privileged.”
The Group Chairman, Oodua Investment Company Limited, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru while speaking, said DEFINED project will help position Yoruba youth for the digital age by providing digital education, and creating opportunities for them to hone these skills in a supportive environment.
Otunba Ashiru stressed that the Project which is an ambitious campaign, will take digital education and opportunities to all the 137 local government areas in South West states of Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Lagos, adding, “in line with the mission of the Odu’a Investment Foundation which is to “…expand educational opportunities and promote youth development and information technology in Southwest Nigeria,” the foundation is therefore launching the “DEFINED’ project today”,
The Group Chairman added, ” The Project which is an ambitious campaign, will take digital education and opportunities to all the 137 local governments areas in southwest states of Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Lagos. This Project will help position Yoruba youth for the digital age, by providing digital education, and creating opportunities for them to hone these skills in a supportive environment. With your support, we can achieve these objectives. With your support, this program has the potential to provide an opportunity of a lifetime to many young people across the region by creating our own digital revolution”.
The keynote speaker, Professor Seun Kolade, in his remarks said Digital Education For Innovation and Economic Development is a timely project aimed at upskilling South west Nigerian youth, captivating them for digital revolution, adding that some primary objectives of the DEFINED initiative is to develop comprehensive curricular that spans the first 12 years of education, from Primary 1 to Senior Secondary School 3, in line with the Nigerian education system and in partnership with the relevant state agencies.
At the launching, Governor Seyi Makinde was represented by the Secretary to the State Government Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, and the Oyo state commissioner for education, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun was represented by the State SSG, Chief Tokunbo Talabi,Ekiti State Governor was represented by Mrs Habibat Asubiaro, Lagos Perm Sec. Cabinet Office, Mrs Tolani Oshodi, represented Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu, Ondo State Governor was represented by Dr. Olusegun Aina.
Other dignitaries at the event are Senator Femi Okunrohunmi, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Immediate chairman of Odu’a Investment Limited, Prince Adebayo Jimoh, Chief Iyabo Apanpa, Akarigbo of Remo Land, His Imperial Majesty Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, among others.
