• Ondo celebrates World Youth Skills Day with launch of tech-focused training hub
By Our Reporter
Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through practical skill acquisition and digital innovation.
The Governor made this known on Wednesday during the commissioning of the newly established Ondo State Skill Enterprise Development Centre located along Oda Road in Akure.
The event marked the state’s celebration of the 2025 World Youth Skills Day, themed “Youth Empowerment Through AI and Digital Skills.”
Addressing a gathering of government officials, youth leaders, and community stakeholders, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the initiative is a deliberate step towards addressing the twin challenges of youth unemployment and social insecurity by equipping young people with market-relevant skills.
“Youths are the backbone of any society. For any government to succeed, the development of young people must be at the core of its plans.
“We understand the limitations of government in providing white-collar jobs for everyone, and that is why we have created this Centre to ensure that our youths are not idle, but engaged in learning profitable skills that will change their lives,” the Governor declared.
Although World Youth Skills Day is globally observed on July 15, the state shifted its commemoration to July 16 due to the public holiday declared nationwide.
Describing the facility as “a workshop for empowerment and a place where dreams can be built through skills,” Governor Aiyedatiwa said the Centre would serve as a critical platform for young people to sharpen existing abilities and acquire new ones in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital technology, creative design, agriculture, fashion, welding, and other vocational trades.
“With this Centre in place, no youth should be found roaming the streets or engaging in criminal activities. We have provided the tools; it is now time for our young people to use them,” he asserted.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Empowerment and Job Creation, Mr Orioye Gbayisemore, described the Centre as a reflection of the state’s hands-on approach to youth development.
He commended the Governor’s visionary leadership and announced the provision of transport allowances to trainees, to encourage participation and commitment throughout the duration of the training.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of Akure South Local Government, Mr Ayodele Adebayo, who represented the council chairman, Mr Gbenga Fasua, urged young artisans and skilled workers in the area to take full advantage of the Centre to refine their talents and uplift the local economy.
In his remarks, the newly appointed Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Omoyofunmi Segun Henry, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Governor for putting youth matters at the forefront of state policy.
He described the project as a milestone that would empower thousands and reduce the burden on government employment.
The commissioning ceremony drew commendation from various quarters and was widely viewed as a bold step toward repositioning Ondo State as a hub for innovation, skills development, and inclusive growth.
