DAMISI OJO, Akure

As part of the 10th year anniversary marking the United Nations World Youth Skills Day, Owo Local Government in Ondo State has aligned with the global world to celebrate the 2025 edition  with a week tech training for 123 youths and students in drone construction and robotic creation in collaboration with King’s College African Leadership Centre.

Declaring the training programme open at Owo Local Government Secretariat, the Chairman, Hon Tope Omolayo, said the training was part of the activities to commemorate the 10th anniversary of United Nations World Youth Skills Day.

According to Omolayo, the United Nations General Assembly declared World Youth Skills Day to equip young people with tech skills for technology as co-creators of fairer digital future.

He said “I am particularly delighted because students and youths of Owo Local Government is observing the United Nations World Youth Skills Day with this local tech training for made in Nigeria drone construction, and subsequently, these young innovators will embark on global tech tour to showcase their inventions to the global world at the Drone and Innovation events in United Kingdom and Canada.

“It was no longer news that Owo Local Government Area was facing precarious security challenges. Owo has a vast landmass, and if we utilise the advantage of space technology by training youths on drone creativities and GPS tracking for our forest, we will overcome insecurity menace.

“The security history of Owo Local Government has been marked by severe trauma and widespread disruption since March 26, 2015, when a devastating and highly coordinated simultaneous armed robbery attack of multiple banks – First Bank, Wema Bank, Eco Bank, Heritage Bank, Skye Bank, and Keystone Bank in broad daylight led to the tragic deaths of seven police officers and many civilians, widespread property destruction, and prolonged closure of banking services.

“Most tragically is the St. Francis Catholic Church Owo Massacre of June 5, 2022, during Pentecost Mass, terrorists invaded St. Francis Catholic Church at Owaluwa Street, Owo, opened fire on worshippers. Over 40 lives were lost, and several others sustained life-threatening injuries. This tragic event brought global attention to the rising insecurity in Owo and shocked the nation” he said.

The Chairman further said kidnappings and Banditry have been occurring in Owo since 2016.

“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”.

He explained that the Owo Local Government commemoration of World Youth Skills Day, is a driver of positive change for empowering youth, advancing education, and promoting ethical tech use of drones and digital skills to tackle Owo insecurity challenges and shape a more peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable future for our youths.

He lauded Ayun Lolade Oluwalemibola, Imafidon Elvis Peter, Olapeju Oluwafaanubomi David, Okundia Goodluck Aisosa, Emovon Osasu, Ajoloko Oluwatimileyin Samson, Asemota Osakpolor Christian and Ademoriji Oluwatosin Temitope for the laudable drone innovation  they created which earned them the 2025 World Youth Skill Day monetary awards.

The Co-Founder of King’s College African Leadership Centre, Mrs Bolajoko Taiwo Olapeju-Ayeni said the youth empowerment programme through Artificial Intelligence, drone construction and digital skills focused on the theme of 2025 World Youth Skills Day,urging the youths to use the training to become inventors in tech innovation.

18-year old Olague Oghosa Melody, who co-created straw board drone with Osadolor Aisosa and Osemwengie Edith, expressed her gratitude to the organizer of the training programme and urged the local government to support them in developing the prototype drone.

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