Developing digital skills is critical both for job success and to participate fully in the present day digital society.
To this end, the Ijesa Global Alliance for Development (IGAD), a collation of Ijesa sons and daughters in Nigeria homeland and in the diaspora is moving to position youth of Ijesaland to develop their digital skills so as to be able to actively participate in a digital society as such skills are becoming increasingly important as millions of future jobs will require such.
Saturday the 22nd of July at the Olashore International School, Iloko-Ijesa, Osun State, at a program directed by Dr. Wale Oyekanmi, IGAD launched a digital hub of excellence, The Ijesha Digital Hub for Workforce Training, Tech-entrepreneurship and for the Ijesaland Communities Economic Transformation.
In his opening remarks, at the hybrid program, mixing Face-to-Face and remote attendees via a virtual zoom platform, Prince Abimbola Olashore · Chairman Of IGAD delved into the primary mission of IGAD to mobilize the resources and talents of Ijesas across the globe to drive the sustainable and people-centered, social, economic and industrial development of Ijesaland as he appreciated the donors and particularly the Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesa HRM Akeem Olusayo Ogungbangbe and his chiefs who were physically present.
Also, Dr. Wale Alonge, talked about the history of AGAD, a nonprofit organization in the USA and a corporate member of the Ijesa Development Council (IDC). While commending the leadership quality of Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, the Asiwaju of Ijesaland at piloting of the economic development in Ijesaland, referring to the 2019 Ijesa Development Symposium at Maryland, Atlanta, USA, at which Asiwaju was the keynote speaker where, there and then, he charged the Ijesa sons and daughters in the diaspora to think of what they can do to better the lots of Ijesa people. He further referred to the 2021 convention at Baltimore, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Busuyi Awe that effectually gave birth to IGAD. "If we want to develop Ijesaland, we must invest in our youth. IGAD is global collation of Ijesas." He said
Dr. Adewale briefed the audience about the eligibility criteria and the online application process via the hub’s website at http://ijeshadigitalhub.com/
He noted that the recruitment of the first cohort lf trainees will focus on indigenes of Ijeshaland with a minimum qualification of OND who possesses basic computer application skills. He noted that the initial courses were selected to focus on high in-demand courses that would position the Digital Hub’s graduates to become highly sought after members of the global digital workforce.
At the introduction and comments from members of , IGAD directed by Dr. Babatunde Ojo resident in the USA but physically present, Prince James Ajayi called in from the UK, Dr. Busayo Awe, Dr. Kayode Dada from UK, Mr. Adebanjo Adebiyi from USA, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi spoke from an airport in the USA thanked everyone that helped to put IGAD together as he reiterated that "our youth represent our future, they represent our assets."
Oluwafemi Michael Oluwatoba, the President of Ijesa Youth Forum, called in from the UK to appreciate the donors and pledge on behalf of the generality of the Ijesa Youth Forum to do all for the success of the project.
Chief Osobukola, Engr. Ayoola Odeyemi, Mrs. Iyanda, were all happy to be part of the IGAD digital hub initiative.
Mr. Ebenezer Ajayi, who spoke on contents and prospect of the digital hub courses hinted that courses of study will include Artificial Intelligent and Machine learning, Cyber Security, User Interaction and User Experience and graduating shall be given certificates.
Alhaji Lateef Bakare, speaking for the Ijesa Development Council IDC, said that the initiative will be modeled after what the Ijesa just did by sponsoring 277 students to undergo studies at the Ilesa Federal School of Science. "The brain some of our youth are putting into the Yahoo-Yahoo thing, if they put it into studies at the digital hub, they will be better of." He submitted
IGAD has incorporated the Ijesha Development Investment Limited (IDIL) with the CAC with an initial capital target of N50m as member of AGAD is expected to commit N2m into the investment portfolio.
IGAD is governed by a 7-member Board of Directors headed by Price Bimbo Olashore. Other members include Dr. Adewale Alonge, Pastor Laitan Obileye, Dr. Babatunde Ojo, Alhaji Lateef Bakare, with Sir Ademola Aladekomo and Prof. Olowookere as Ex-officio members.
IGAD is also collaborating with the Osun State College of Technology, (OSCOTECH) Esa-Oke in the area of providing lecturers.
At the Questions and Observation time, the General Secretary of Ijesaland Development Council IDC Dr. Diipo Folorunso, Mr. Michael Oluwatoba, President of Ijesa Youth Forum, Mrs Grace Oluwatoye, Babatunde Oluborode and Prof. David Olowookere all applauded the efforts of those who took the baton of the last leg of the relay that gave birth to the launching of the hub.
Participants at the launching later made a tour of the Digital Hub facility located inside the Library of the Olashore International School Iloko-Ijesa.
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