Obasanjo passionate about youths

To say the least, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is passionate about the youths! How to empower them has been a constant source of worry to him and six months ago he set up a Credit Scheme for Young Business Owners. The first set of beneficiaries got their cheques during the Future of Work Conference which held at the Youth Development Centre of the OOPL on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Baba said the beneficiaries will pay 9 per cent interest rates and observed that no business person can break even with the 23 per cent interest being charged by banks currently adding jocularly “…unless they grow cocaine, they cannot make it…” Chief Obasanjo who also cut another 85th birthday cake at the Conference said the beneficiaries will be mentored, monitored and regularly reviewed. He asked for collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Education. He enjoined youths not to take anything for granted but to perspire to make it adding “… few make it through lottery. The only sure way to make it is through your sweat ; Perspiration rather than Inspiration…”
Whilst presenting a cheque of N1m to Gbadamosi Azeez Abiodun undertaking a poultry business, Baba Obasanjo asked him to be careful and asked a female cobbler, Mulero Olayemi Ajoke who got N450,000 loan to make shoes for him which he will pay for. Other recipients include Salami Olamide Abike, a fashion designer who got N1m and Ogunbanjo Morenikeji Bolaji who got N700,000.
Welcoming guests earlier, the Director, YDC, Mr. Ibukun Olagbemiro said the beneficiaries were picked out of 54 past trainees who showed interest in the OOPL Credit Scheme. He said the Centre had untiring interest in investing in people and submitted that the future of work is technology driven! He said youths were lucky to have the Internet and urged them to acquire tech skills.
Also speaking, Dr. Bisi Kolapo, the Chairperson, YDC, described youths as being extremely lucky to have the OOPL and urged them to make good use of the available facilities especially the “Window on America” equipped with laptops and Internet.
The Conference proper kicked off with the plenary sessions on “Transitioning from non-tech to tech careers” and “Upskilling with technology skills in current and future careers”. The panelists did justice to the themes sharing their personal experiences and encouraging attendees to learn the skills, reinvent, practice continuously and get certified. They unanimously agreed that the future of work is between man and machine. In all, the workshop was eye opening and thought provoking. Kudos to the Youth Development Centre!