Princess Samiat Abolanle Bada, the Mayoress of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, charged the graduands of the 2nd Edition of her Free Computer Training Empowerment Programme to utilize the digital skills they have acquired to transform their lives, uplift their community, and contribute meaningfully to the development of Lagos State.

The ceremony, held at the Sen. Bayo Oshinowo Hall, Ikosi-Isheri LCDA Secretariat, on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, marked a significant milestone in the community’s journey towards progress and empowerment. The program, which equipped participants with crucial skills in cybersecurity, product design, motion and graphics design, digital marketing, Excel, data analysis, and basic computer programming, is expected to shape the future of the community.

In her speech, Princess Samiat Bada expressed pride in the program’s success and announced plans to launch the 3rd Edition soon. “Today, we stand at a defining moment in our journey towards progress and empowerment,” she said. “This is not just a certificate presentation, but a powerful testament to what we can achieve when we invest in ourselves and in the future of our community.”

Mayoress Bada emphasized that every skill acquired by the graduates represents not just personal growth but a collective step towards building a stronger, more resilient Ikosi-Isheri. “We are preparing you to lead, innovate, and elevate Ikosi-Isheri to new heights,” she said.

The Mayoress also thanked her team, including the Special Adviser on ICT, the HOU ICT, and dedicated instructors, for their hard work in making the program a success. “Your commitment is truly transforming lives,” she said.

Mayoress Bada assured the residents that she is committed to ensuring every resident has the opportunity to develop the skills needed to thrive in the digital age. “We won’t stop until every resident has the chance to develop the skills needed to thrive,” she said.

In a message of hope and encouragement, Mayoress Bada urged the residents to ignore distractions and focus on the progress being made. “Your Mayoress is focused, determined, and coming back stronger than ever,” she said. “Together, we will make Ikosi-Isheri the pride of Lagos.”

Hassan Sophia revealed that she had no prior knowledge of computer usage before enrolling in the program. However, through the training, she gained valuable skills in using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and other essential computer applications.

Sophia expressed her gratitude to the Mayoress for the given opportunity to young ones in the community, stating that the skills she acquired helped her significantly in her academic pursuits. “It helped me in my course when I was studying at school,” she said.

As the LCDA prepares to launch the 3rd Edition of the program, Sophia had a message for other youths in the community. “They should come, there’s a third one that they are going to do, they should make sure they come early because they will learn a lot,” she advised.

Mrs Ajose happiness to the Ajose, mother of Ajose Kolawole who was overwhelmed with joy, expressed her gratitude to the Mayoress for the opportunity. Despite Ajose being below the required age, his mother’s persistence plead saying so that he could be computer literate from a young age led to his admission into the program.

The mother noted that Ajose has been practicing his new skills at home, and she is already seeing positive results. She praised the Mayoress for providing this valuable opportunity, which will prepare Ajose for a brighter future.