The Owo Local Government (LG) Area of Ondo State has trained 123 youths on drone construction, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotic creation as co-creators of a fairer digital future.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training, which took place in Owo on Friday, was in collaboration with Kings College African Leadership Centre for Technology
Mr Tope Omolayo, Owo LG chairman, while declaring the programme open, said the training was in commemoration of the 10th year World Youth Skills Day anniversary.
Omolayo said the youth skill day was to equip young people with technical and entrepreneurship skills to enable them conquer poverty, tackle youth unemployment, restore standard education, science, technology and provide adequate security technology.
The LG chairman explained that it behooved on the council to utilise the advantage of space technology by training youths on drone creativities and Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking in their forest.
According to Omolayo, the training will enable the community to overcome the menace of insecurity.
The LG chairman said that the security history of Owo LG had been marked by severe trauma.
He also said that seven police officers were killed while several people were injured in an armed robbery attack of multiple banks in 2016.
“Over 40 lives were lost and several others sustained life-threatening injuries during the pentecost mass attack.
“Terrorists invaded St. Francis Catholic Church at Owaluwa Street, Owo, and opened fire on worshippers in 2022.
“Also, kidnappings and banditry have been occurring in Owo from 2016 till date.
“The forests and highways surrounding Owo have become notorious for kidnappings for ransom, particularly along the Owo–Benin and Owo–Akure Roads and in rural communities like Ifon, Emure and Ute.
“Civilians, including students, farmers, and commuters have been routinely targeted. Some victims have died in captivity due to delayed ransom payments or health complications.
“Therefore, the training is a driver of positive change for empowering youth, advancing education, and promoting ethical tech use of drones.
“Digital skills will help to tackle Owo insecurity challenges and shape a more peaceful, inclusive and sustainable future for our youths,” Omolayo said.
Omolayo, therefore, said the young innovators would embark on global tech tour to showcase their inventions to the global world at the Drone and Innovation events in United Kingdom and Canada.
Also, Mrs Bolajoko Olapeju-Ayeni, Co-Founder of King’s College African Leadership Centre for Technology, said this year’s theme was “World Youth Skills Day”
According to her, the theme focuses on youth empowerment through AI and digital skills.
Olapeju-Ayeni, therefore, admonished the youths to use the training as an opportunity to become inventors in tech innovation.
Shanu Abu, one of the youth trainees, who received an award for educational robotics creation, thanked the chairman of Owo LG for equipping the youths with future-ready skills.
Abu promised that the trainees would implement the training for the betterment of Owo Local Government communities.
NAN reports that no fewer than 15 trainees received awards for the various innovations they created.