Former Ogun State First Lady, Olufunso Amosun, has empowered 70 young people in Ile-Ife, Osun State, with free training in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital skills as part of efforts to improve youth employability and promote entrepreneurship.
The beneficiaries, who completed a six-week intensive training programme, received certificates during activities marking the 2026 Edi Moremi Festival held in Ile-Ife on Saturday.
The initiative is part of a broader empowerment programme created to equip young people, unemployed graduates and school leavers with relevant digital competencies to compete in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
Speaking at the presentation, Amosun said that the training centre, commissioned on September 26, was established to bridge the digital skills gap and provide opportunities for young people who might otherwise be unable to afford quality technology education.
She explained that financial constraints had prevented many talented youths from accessing digital training, stressing that the centre was established to remove such barriers and prepare them for emerging employment and business opportunities.
According to her, the facility has the capacity to train approximately 200 beneficiaries every six weeks, with all participants enjoying free access to the programme.
Amosun urged the graduating trainees to apply their newly acquired skills to create employment opportunities rather than depend solely on conventional jobs.
She said, “Do not just collect your certificates and go home. What matters is what you do with the knowledge you have acquired.
“I want you to see yourselves as future employers of labour, not just people looking for employment. Use these skills to create opportunities for yourselves and, where possible, for other people.”
The former first lady said that the initiative was inspired by the courage and selflessness of Queen Moremi Ajasoro, whose legacy, she noted, should encourage people to contribute to the development of their communities.
In addition to the youth development, the programme also featured a N5m empowerment intervention for traders, widows and other economically vulnerable residents.
The funds were distributed among 15 associations operating within Oja Titu Market, Ile-Ife, to support members through a revolving-loan arrangement aimed at strengthening small businesses and improving livelihoods.
Amosun said that the associations would determine eligible beneficiaries based on their needs, adding that the impact of the intervention would be assessed after one year.
The initiative also included free medical consultations and eye examinations for elderly residents, with assurances of follow-up care for those requiring further medical attention.
Meanwhile, the 2026 Edi Moremi Festival featured the 11th edition of the Yeye Moremi Beauty Pageant, organised to promote the cultural legacy of Queen Moremi Ajasoro.
Miss Adegoke Aisha emerged winner of the competition, receiving a brand-new car, N1m cash prize and automatic employment.
The first runner-up, Oluwatunmishe Akinyele, received N750,000 and an employment opportunity, while the second runners-up received N500,000 each alongside employment opportunities.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, commended Amosun for sustaining the initiative, describing the empowerment programme as an important contribution to grassroots development.
He also disclosed that the top four contestants would serve as Moremi Ambassadors, with opportunities for international engagements and exposure.
