Moremi Festival: Amosun Empowers 70 Youths With AI, Digital Skills, Offers Free Medical Services, Glaucoma Surgery

Former First Lady of Ogun State and Yeye Moremi Oodua, Yeye Olufunso Amosun, has empowered 70 youths across Osun State, particularly in Ile-Ife, with artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital skills through the first cohort of the YMO AI and Digital Training Hub, as part of activities marking the grand finale of the Edi Moremi Festival in Ile-Ife.

The beneficiaries, who successfully completed the six-week training programme, were presented with certificates at the event held on Saturday at the Sir Adebutu Keshinton Building, within the palace of the Ooni of Ife.

Amosun explained that the initiative was inspired by the courage and selflessness of the legendary Queen Moremi Ajasoro, whose historic liberation of the people of Ile-Ife continues to serve as a model for empowering generations.

Speaking during the certificate presentation, Amosun emphasised that the digital training hub was established to equip young people with relevant technological skills, including artificial intelligence and other digital competencies.

This, according to her, will improve their employment opportunities and enable them to become financially independent.

She said, “In this day and age, where everything has gone digital and there is technological advancement, we have taken it upon ourselves to liberate the upcoming generation by empowering them with digital skills and artificial intelligence to enable them to get better jobs.”

Amosun disclosed that about 150 participants initially enrolled in the six-week training programme, but only 70 qualified for graduation after meeting the instructors’ attendance and performance requirements.

She said, “About 150 people started originally, but I am proud to say that only about 70 of them will be given certificates today. The instructors have been strict and have refused to give certificates of participation to everybody, except those who stand out as exceptional to be the YMO ambassadors across the globe.”

According to her, participants who did not meet the required standards would be given another opportunity through a two-week refresher programme before being assessed for certification.

Amosun stressed that the centre was committed to producing competent graduates, noting that certificates would only be awarded to participants who demonstrated commitment, discipline and hard work.

“At the YMO AI and Digital Training Hub, we pride ourselves on only turning out quality. We will not give just anybody certificates. It is not just about aptitude; it is about commitment and hard work,” she said.

She encouraged young people to take advantage of the free training, adding that the facility remained open to anyone willing to acquire digital skills and build a sustainable livelihood.

Beyond youth empowerment, Amosun disclosed that more than 200 beneficiaries, including women from the palace and the wider Ife community, were expected to benefit from a free medical outreach organised in collaboration with the Eye Foundation.

The outreach included free eye screening, provision of eyeglasses for beneficiaries who needed them, and glaucoma surgeries for eligible patients, all at no cost.

The festival also featured the Queen Moremi Ajasoro Beauty Pageant, an initiative of the Queen Moremi Ajasoro Global Ambassador, Her Majesty Queen Aderonke Ogunwusi, which has been held for 11 years.

Amosun noted that she had supported the pageant over the years by crowning successive queens as part of efforts to sustain the legacy of the legendary heroine.

Speaking, the Queen Moremi Ajasoro Global Ambassador, Her Majesty Queen Aderonke Ogunwusi, said the initiative was designed to give the celebration of Queen Moremi Ajasoro greater social impact beyond cultural remembrance.

She commended the Ooni of Ife for providing the platform for activities under the Queen Moremi Ajasoro initiative and appreciated Yeye Moremi Oodua for her support towards promoting the legacy of the historical heroine.

She urged the graduating trainees to put their newly acquired digital skills to productive use, noting that the global economy was increasingly driven by technology.

According to her, some of the trainees had already secured employment opportunities, including some whom she personally employed, adding that digital skills acquisition could help address unemployment, create jobs and contribute to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Sulaiman Fasasi writes for Independent Newspapers. He graduated from the prestigious department of Mass Communication, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta as the best print students in 2007. He has put about 10 years into the practice of journalism in Nigeria. Fasasi is happily married with kids.

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