Upperhill News

Ogun State government has sought the assistance of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), to engage youths in the state in demand-driven needs like Artificial Intelligence skills, to make them better prepared for employment opportunities that were obtainable locally and internationally.

The state Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, made the call when she received members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the maiden Ogun State Employment Conference, led by its Chairman and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola, in company of Permanent Secretary, Public Service Transformation Office (PSTO), Mr. Jola Oyeneye, Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development, Mr. Abiola Odetola, representative of the GIZ, and other committee members in her Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The LOC members were at the Deputy Governor’s Office to present the report of the Ogun State Employment Conference, held between October 11 and 12, 2023, as well as create awareness on the proposed hybrid Job Fair programme.

Engr. Salako-Oyedele said youths should be empowered with relevant and marketable skills that would help them take advantage of new technology, urging GIZ to ensure effective marketing of its Skills Development for Youth Employment Project and a ‘’Train the Trainers’’ programme, to enable many youths to benefit.

“I am pleased to hear that the GIZ intervention has been extended till November, 2026. I believe the extension will afford more youths across the State to benefit more from your impactful intervention’’, she said.

Engr. Salako-Oyedele, who commended efforts of LOC for the report, noted that the event had impacted lives of youths, promising to work with the committee and the GIZ subsequently.

Earlier, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola, said report of the committee was forwarded for government to implement its recommendation, adding that the proposed Job Fair would be an inclusive Fair which would be technologically-driven, and help build on the gains of last year’s conference.

Also speaking, Technical Advisor, Employment Promotion, Skills Development for Youth Employment, GIZ, Mr. Amile Terlumun, said the Employment conference provided insights which were used to plan the next phase of the Skills Development for Youth Employment programme which would run until November, 2026.

He called on government to implement the recommendations, adding that they align with the drive of the State government towards empowering youths with requisite skills.

Meanwhile, the LOC also met with the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu and the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, to present the report and advocate support for the upcoming Job Fair.