A digital hub, OK Foundation Digital Centre has been opened in Iworo, Badagry, Lagos, as part of the development taking place in the community.
Since Oniworo of Iworoland, Oba Oladele Friday Kosoko, ascended the throne, the community has been witnessing a rapid growth. Their road has been renovated, new palace is under construction, a shopping mall has been built and the construction of a model college has began.
To empower the people of Iworo and Badagry communities, Olu Kosoko Foundation unveiled the digital centre on Thursday, 20th May 2021.
Focused on driving development by propagating ‘Education, Empowerment, Entrepreneurship and Environment,’ the non-profit organisation is founded by the Aremo of Iworo Kingdom, Olu Kosoko.
Speaking at the launch, the Prince said the digital central was designed to equip youths and young adults with key digital skills which would strengthen their entrepreneurship capabilities and make them ‘hot cakes’ in the labour market.
He stated: “The digital centre located at Iworo Shopping Complex will also serve as a shared workspace for professionals and tech researchers as we provide in-house busing consulting for SMEs and start-ups.
“Our goals are to impact the lives of 1000 youths and 500 adults in Badagry within the next 36 months.”
According to him, the launching of the digital centre is a beginning of a big journey for the people Badagry, Lagos and Nigeria.
Kosoko stated: “For me, opening the centre is a life of purpose and possibility. Today is my birthday and I am really grateful I’m celebrating it this way. I am not doing this for self-validation; I just want to make impact, tell a story and fulfil the purpose of God for my life.”
He urged parents to encourage their kids to take advantage of the free technology training, insisting that the education had transformed his life.
“The digital centre will be opened on June 7. I want parents to encourage their kids to enrol and it’s completely free. The centre is not for the youth alone because we are looking at the bigger picture. Oniworo has provided land for a model school and it will be completed in next the few years. We want to empower young adults so that outsiders will not get all the jobs in the school. Education is something we should take seriously. If my father didn’t invest in my education, I wouldn’t be where I am today. We want to be able to empower both old and young so that if opportunities open, they can get the jobs. Apart from digital skills, we will help change the mindset of trainees as well.”
The Director General of Badagry Chambers of Commerce, Mr. Opeyemi Oke, described the gesture as noble and commendable.
He said he had been talking with Kosoko for a year, noting that his passion for human empowerment could drive a generation.
Oke stated: “I know a lawyer who told me Olu paid for his JAMB form many years ago. This shows that he has been doing this for years. And when he was in the United Kingdom, he was always coming home to empower the people of Badagry.
“It’s his birthday and he is saying we should drive the digital future of Badagry. It gives me joy that Olu has come to set up this here. The quality of the people here shows the kind of person he is.”
Commending Oniworo for his works in the community, he described him as the most progressive traditional ruler he had met in his life.
He added: “Oba Kosoko is selfless and passionate about the people. For the people of Iworo, I urge you to take advantage of the digital skills. In the next five six years, Badagry will become the economic web of West Africa. Our seaport is underway, the major road is under construction and the boarder will be opened soon.
“Opening the hub here is huge towards helping our youths to be relevant in tech and maximize the opportunities that will come. In the next 5 years, you will be proud you are here today. As it is now, Iworo is the fastest growing town in Badagry, and a model college is coming here too.”
