The Owo Local Government (LG) Area of Ondo State has trained 123 youths in drone construction, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic creation as co-creators of a fairer digital future.

The training, which took place in Owo on Friday, was in collaboration with Kings College African Leadership Centre for Technology.

Owo LG chairman, Tope Omolayo, while declaring the programme open, said the training was in commemoration of the 10th World Youth Skills Day.

Mr Omolayo said the youth skill day was to equip young people with technical and entrepreneurship skills to enable them to conquer poverty, tackle youth unemployment, restore standard education and science and technology, and provide adequate security technology.

The LG chairman explained that it behoved the council to utilise the advantage of space technology by training youths on drone creativities and Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking in their forest.

According to Mr Omolayo, the training will enable the community to overcome the menace of insecurity.

The LG chairman said that the security history of Owo LG had been marked by severe trauma.

He also said that seven police officers were killed while several people were injured in an armed robbery attack of multiple banks in 2016.

He stated, “Over 40 lives were lost, and several others sustained life-threatening injuries during the Pentecost mass attack. Terrorists invaded St Francis Catholic Church at Owaluwa Street, Owo, and opened fire on worshippers in 2022. Also, kidnappings and banditry have been occurring in Owo from 2016 till date.  The forests and highways surrounding Owo have become notorious for kidnappings for ransom, particularly along the Owo–Benin and Owo–Akure Roads and in rural communities such as Ifon, Emure and Ute. Civilians, including students, farmers, and commuters, have been routinely targeted. Some victims have died in captivity due to delayed ransom payments or health complications.

“Therefore, the training is a driver of positive change for empowering youth, advancing education, and promoting ethical tech use of drones. Digital skills will help to tackle Owo insecurity challenges and shape a more peaceful, inclusive and sustainable future for our youths.’’

Mr Omolayo, therefore, said the young innovators would embark on a global tech tour to showcase their inventions to the global world at the drone and innovation events in the United Kingdom and Canada.

Also, co-founder of King’s College African Leadership Centre for Technology, Bolajoko Olapeju-Ayeni, said this year’s theme was “World Youth Skills Day”.

According to her, the theme focuses on youth empowerment through AI and digital skills.

Ms Olapeju-Ayeni urged the youth to use the training to become inventors in tech innovation.

One of the youth trainees, Shanu Abu, who received an award for educational robotics creation, thanked the chairman of Owo LG for equipping the youths with future-ready skills.

Mr Abu promised that the trainees would implement the training for the betterment of Owo local government communities.

About 15 trainees received awards for the various innovations they created. 

(NAN)