Yayi Woos Gen Zs, Pledges More Jobs, ICT Training, Education Support in Ogun

The APC governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has pledged to prioritise youth development, job creation, digital skills acquisition and the creative industry in Ogun State if elected governor, assuring young people of greater opportunities to realise their potential.

Yayi gave the assurance at the Gen-Z Asks, Yayi Listens programme organised by Haleemah Ogogo, daughter of veteran actor Taiwo Hassan Ogogo, at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, on Sunday.

The interaction provided a platform for young people to engage the senator on issues affecting their generation, including employment, education, technology, entertainment and opportunities for economic advancement.

Addressing the gathering, Senator Yayi acknowledged the growing influence of technology on the lives of Generation Z, describing young people as critical stakeholders in shaping the future of Ogun State and Nigeria.

He noted that the younger generation had access to technological opportunities that were largely unavailable when he began his career in public service, adding that government must recognise and harness their creativity, energy and technological exposure for development.

“I am delighted to be in the midst of a generation of our people that has been so much impacted by technological development happening across the world. The future, as they say, belongs to the youths, and I am glad to have this important interaction with critical actors in that future we envisage for our nation, starting from our state,” he said.

The senator explained that youth development had remained a central component of his public service, citing his interventions in information and communication technology (ICT), education, skills acquisition and employment as evidence of his commitment to empowering young people.

According to him, while serving as a legislator in Lagos State, he facilitated the training, certification and empowerment of more than 10,000 youths in ICT, providing them with computers to improve their digital skills and employment prospects.

He said several beneficiaries had subsequently secured opportunities across the world or established successful ICT businesses, demonstrating the impact of investing in young people’s technological capabilities.

Yayi added that since his election as senator representing Ogun West, he had sustained the initiative, with approximately 12,000 youths and students trained in ICT and provided with laptop computers.

He also disclosed that one of the beneficiaries from Ilaro had gone on to participate in an international ICT competition, describing such achievements as evidence of the potential of Ogun youths when given the necessary support.

To further strengthen digital education and access to technology, the senator said he had facilitated the construction of 18 modern ICT centres across Ogun State, with the latest located at Lisabi Grammar School in Abeokuta.

On education infrastructure, Yayi disclosed that he had facilitated the construction of more than 98 blocks of 12 classrooms across the state, equipped with libraries, staff offices and solar-powered boreholes.

He added that six ultra-modern skills acquisition centres had also been facilitated to equip young people with practical and vocational competencies needed to compete in the labour market and establish businesses.

The APC governorship candidate further stated that more than 12,000 students in tertiary institutions had benefited from scholarship and bursary facilitation, while over 20,000 students had received support through the provision of General Certificate of Education (GCE) and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination forms.

He said the interventions were intended to reduce the financial burden on families and ensure that indigent students were not denied educational opportunities because of economic circumstances.

Yayi also disclosed that he had facilitated the distribution of 200,000 textbooks and other educational materials to 128 schools across Ogun State, alongside the provision of 102 minibuses to tertiary institutions to ease transportation difficulties faced by students.

On employment, he said his interventions had facilitated job opportunities for at least 200 people in various government agencies, expressing his determination to expand opportunities for young people through a broader development agenda.

Senator Yayi pledged to make the creative and entertainment industry a major focus of his proposed administration, identifying its potential to generate employment, stimulate economic activities and showcase the talents of young people.

He said creative arts and tourism featured prominently in his nine-pillar ITESIWAJU agenda for Ogun State, stressing that his administration would work towards making the Ministry of Culture and Tourism more proactive in discovering and developing emerging talents.

He lamented that challenges such as piracy had reduced the attractiveness and profitability of the entertainment business, discouraging investment and limiting the benefits available to practitioners.

According to him, government must provide an enabling environment for creative professionals, protect their intellectual property and establish platforms through which upcoming artistes, comedians, actors and other entertainers could gain exposure.

“It is no longer going to be business as usual because we are ready to detect and go after all these hidden talents that God has blessed our state with,” he said.