By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

No fewer than 350 unemployed youths drawn from Ogun Central Senatorial District have graduated from the 9th edition of a digital literacy and empowerment programme sponsored by Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, with beneficiaries receiving brand-new laptops to support their careers in information technology.

The 10-day training programme, organised in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy as well as the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, combined five days of virtual learning with another five days of practical sessions held at the JAMB office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Speaking at the closing ceremony on Friday, Senator Salisu, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, said the initiative was aimed at preparing youths for opportunities in the fast-growing digital economy.

According to him, the programme, which ran from May 4 to May 15, 2026, was structured to expose participants to practical ICT skills capable of enhancing entrepreneurship and self-reliance.

“The world is increasingly driven by technology. This programme is aimed at exposing our youths to the opportunities in ICT and how they can use it to promote their businesses and services,” he said.

The lawmaker explained that the selection process for beneficiaries was transparent, inclusive and devoid of political considerations, adding that participants were drawn from the six local government areas in Ogun Central Senatorial District.

He disclosed that some applicants also registered through an online portal from outside the district, while religious leaders and community stakeholders were included in the training to improve their digital knowledge and capacity.

Describing the initiative as part of his constituency intervention projects, the senator, popularly known as OMOYAYI, expressed satisfaction over the impact of the programme on young people in the district.

“I am extremely joyous today because I am investing in people’s lives. This kind of empowerment goes beyond giving out items; it equips young people with digital skills that can put food on their tables and prepare them for leadership,” he stated.

Salisu revealed that the programme was already in its 9th edition and that over 2,000 constituents had benefited from previous editions.

“This is my deliberate decision to focus on education and technology. We will continue to expand this programme. Beneficiaries should make good use of the training and never sell the laptops given to them,” he urged.

Also speaking, the member representing Abeokuta South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Afolabi Afuape, commended Senator Salisu for sustaining youth-focused empowerment initiatives in the district.

Afuape said the programme had continued to positively impact constituents and congratulated the senator on his adoption by stakeholders as the consensus candidate for a second term in office.

He urged beneficiaries to become worthy ambassadors of their communities by utilising the opportunity effectively.

Similarly, Chairman of Odeda Local Government, Hon. Folashade Adeyemo, described the initiative as a laudable intervention capable of lifting many youths out of poverty.

“This is a laudable project that will take many youths out of poverty. Our senator is a promise keeper and a ‘talk-and-do’ politician,” she said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mudashir Qodir Olanrewaju, described the training as life-changing and appreciated the senator for providing the opportunity.

“I want to appreciate our distinguished senator for bringing this opportunity to us. I have learned website design and improved my skills in Microsoft PowerPoint, and I am glad to be part of this training,” he said.

He also encouraged fellow participants to maximise the opportunity for personal growth and future development.

“This kind of opportunity has nothing to do with politics. I urge my fellow participants to utilise what we have learned here for our personal development and the betterment of our future,” he added.

Other dignitaries present at the event included former local government chairman, Hon. Bola Lawal; commissioner-designate, Hon. Adebayo Sanusi; political leaders and local government officials, who described the initiative as a practical step toward youth empowerment and the strengthening of the digital economy in Ogun State.