The Executive Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, Hon Dr Seyi Jakande, has charged about 600 young ICT graduates in the council to turn their newly acquired digital skills into tools for employment, entrepreneurship and community development.

Jakande gave the charge on Monday, August 31, 2026, during the graduation ceremony of participants who successfully completed a three-month intensive Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training programme organised by the council.

The programme equipped participants with practical skills in Full Stack Web Development, Graphic Design and Animation, Desktop Publishing, and Data Analysis.

Congratulating the graduands, Dr Jakande said the completion of the training should not be seen as the end of their journey but as the beginning of a new chapter.

“Today, you graduate as trained Full Stack Web Developers, Graphic Designers and Animators, Desktop Publishing Professionals, and Data Analysts,” he said.

The chairman explained that the initiative was designed to prepare young people for the rapidly changing digital economy, stressing that technology has created opportunities that were previously unimaginable.

According to him, “a laptop can be an office, the internet can be a marketplace, and digital skills can open doors to employment, entrepreneurship, freelancing and innovation.”

Jakande urged the graduands not to wait for perfect conditions before putting their newly acquired skills to work.

He challenged them to start creating websites, designing graphics, analysing data, developing digital solutions and offering their services to clients both locally and internationally.

“Do not be afraid to start small. Every successful professional was once a beginner. Continue learning, keep practising and remain open to new opportunities,” he advised.

Beyond making money, the council chairman urged the young professionals to use technology to solve real problems within their communities.

He encouraged the graduands to constantly consider how their skills could be deployed to create value and improve the lives of residents.

Jakande said the programme forms part of his administration’s commitment to the HEWA Agenda, particularly in the areas of Education and Empowerment, noting that sustainable empowerment starts with equipping people with knowledge and practical skills.

He also assured residents that his administration would continue to invest in human capital and support initiatives capable of creating opportunities for residents to become self-reliant and productive.

Also charged the graduands that they have been trained, equipped and empowered. "Now, it is time to put your knowledge to work.” He said. 

He commended the instructors and facilitators for their dedication and thanked parents and guardians for supporting the participants throughout the training.

The chairman further described the graduands not merely as beneficiaries of the programme but as partners in the development of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, urging them to use their new skills to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the community.

The highpoint of the event was the recognition and reward of outstanding participants.

Some of the best-performing participants were offered internship opportunities by two private companies, while two outstanding participants received laptops to further enhance their skills and productivity, as participants were presented with certificates and gift boxes containing wireless mouse, mini laptop bags and power banks.

One of the outstanding participants, Atobatole Mathew, who studied Full Stack Web Development, expressed appreciation to the council chairman for providing the opportunity to acquire such a valuable skill at no cost.

Mathew described the training as a great opportunity for him and other participants, promising to build on the knowledge he gained during the programme and work towards becoming a professional website developer.

He expressed confidence that the skills acquired would help him explore opportunities in the technology industry and become self-reliant.

Some of the parents present at the ceremony also commended the council chairman, describing him as a proactive leader who has introduced different programmes aimed at meeting the yearnings and aspirations of both young and old residents.

According to the parents, it was a great privilege for their children and wards to have benefited from the ICT training.

They promised to continue supporting their children to further develop the knowledge they had acquired during the programme and put their skills into practice.