Adebayo Adenrele
The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji has hailed the Ekiti Digital Acceleration Programme (EDAP)’s initiative targeted at enpowering over 1000 youths of the state in digital education.
Speaking with journalists on Friday in Ado-Ekiti, Oyebanji highlighted the government’s commitment to enabling success, saying the state has put all mechanisms in place to develop youths in the state.
The Governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Niyi Adebayo said the Governor is solidly behind programs targeted at helping the youths to develop.
He said, “This program actually addresses two components of one of the key pillars of the six-pillar agenda of the governor towards shared prosperity agenda in Ekiti state which is youth development and job creation.
“We are putting action behind our words to make designed programs that will help our young ones to not only feel included but to actually actively participate in the Ekiti project so that together, we can take Ekiti to greater heights”.
On his part, the facilitator of the Initiative, Mayowa Akinleye said the initiative is aimed at bridging the digital divide and improving digital education access for young people in the state.
Olaleye, who also doubles as the founder of Motivar, explained that it is a comprehensive digital training programme targeting post-secondary youth between the ages of 15-21, with the purpose of equipping participants with relevant skills to thrive in the current global digital economy.
He added the programme underscored the urgency of Motivar’s mission, pointing out that 2.9 billion people globally have never used the internet and that only one-third of Africa’s population has access to it.
According to him, EDAP will offer intensive training in 8 skill tracks, such as software development, data analytics, and digital marketing, among others, with the goal of enabling participants to build self-directed learning habits and competencies in the selected tracks.
He added, “Our reality creates unique challenges device poverty, weak connectivity, electricity shortages, and lack of information. These challenges are shutting too many African youths out of a digital access that could change their lives.
“This training is not what will make them into Bill Gates, but it’s a seed that, if nurtured and watered by their will and determination, can grow into an oak tree that feeds them for life. One cannot aspire to what one cannot perceive, and the limits of aspiration are always the limits of achievement,”
The Ekiti State Commissioner for Youth Development, Adesola Gold Adedayo, also emphasized the programme’s transformational promise, saying it’s a call to excellence, global relevance and purpose.
He urged the youths to embrace the opportunity, break beyond limits and take ownership of their future.
“Ekiti youth are being given a platform to rise, to shine, and to dream. The environment in Ekiti today is one where talent is nurtured, innovation is encouraged, and hard work is rewarded”.
