By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
ABEOKUTA: Scores of youths from Ilaro, the Headquarters of Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State will be empowered with IT tools – computers, laptops and other items, by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, to mark the 2024 edition of the Oronna festival of the town
The tools which will be presented personally by the Minister to the expected beneficiaries, who had in 2023 acquired requisite IT skills to make them self – employed, innovative, digitally competitive and earn good income.
The 47 years old Tijani will chair the Grand finale of the Oronna festival December 1 which is expected to bring together over 7,000 sons and daughters of Ilaro at the Empire Pavilion Ilaro for the ceremony.
Otunba Lekan Asuni, a Pharmacist, disclosed this in Ilaro at the Palace of the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, while explaining to newsmen how in the last couple of years, the festival has continued to focus on youths capacity building.
“Last year, we focused on IT skills acquisition. We had quite a number of them. About 80 of them went through several days of IT skills acquisition, how to use the computer and be computer literate. And this year too, the Chairman of the grand finale, Dr. Bosun Tijani, he is going to present IT tools, computers, laptops and what have you to students/youths because you know we are in tech age now.
“These are areas we are looking at to transform our youths and not to be focused on the other way round. So, we are very focused on youth development and we will continue to focus on it,” he said.
Asuni, who is the chairman of the festival committee, gave the theme of this year’s edition as ‘festival of transformation and development,’ during the press briefing and said that Oronna Ilaro Festival is renowned for its rich tapestry of traditions, performances, and captivating displays and serves as a beacon of cultural heritage and unity of the Ilaro people.
He added that the weeklong festival which began on Saturday with road show will also feature Sisi Ilaro Beauty Pageant, street carnival, medical outreach among other activities, while the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun will grace the occasion as the special guest of honour.
