A construction and property development expert, Ashiwaju Olumide Osunsina, has called on Nigerian youths to acquire skills and join hands to build Nigeria to an enviable height.
Osunsina stated that there were many opportunities in Nigeria which the youths could tap into in order to transform their lives.
The Chief Executive Officer of Megamound made the call during the graduation ceremony of the beneficiaries of the Olumide Osunsina [OOF] Youth Skills Training Programme in Ibadan.
The foundation, founded by Osunsina, trained 45 youths for six months in various vocations like solar, and CCTV system installation, fashion designing,decoration, catering, media, and others. The CEO, who was represented during the ceremony by his wife, Mrs. Desiree Osunsina, who is an Executive Director, Megamound Investment Ltd, said the skill acquisition was berthed to give back to society and empower the youths to be self-reliant and make impacts in society.
‘’It is a way of giving back to society. We found out that a lot of people who finished school can’t get jobs, and we decided to empower them with skills so that even if they don’t get jobs, they can use these skills to empower themselves, make money, and run their businesses. We train them for six months. We give them their start-up equipment free. We are encouraging people to key into this. There are opportunities in Nigeria. I want to encourage youths that this is our country. This is where we should all be. This is where your bread will be buttered as youths. Honestly, I’m really proud that we actually started this programme’’, Osunsina said.
Continuing, the CEO said: ‘’At OOF, our mission is simple yet profound: to provide underserved youths with access to education, technical, and vocational training that can unlock their full potential. Our vision is to become a benchmark for youth empowerment in Nigeria—and beyond.
‘’Beyond skills training, we also support the education of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). Drawing from the founder’s experience in the construction industry, we’re expanding our training programmes to include trades such as plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry—with a vision to create employment pathways through Megamound, one of Nigeria’s leading construction firms’’.
To the graduands, Osunsina said: ‘’Your journey over the past six months has been a testament to your resilience, dedication, and hunger for growth. You embraced the process, overcame challenges, and today, you stand not just as graduates, but as empowered individuals—ready to contribute meaningfully to your communities and beyond. We are incredibly proud of you’’.
In his remarks, the Programme Manager, Olumide Osinsina Foundation, Ayodeji Oriyomi, said the programme had significantly enhanced the ability of the programme beneficiaries to contribute positively to the society by improving their employability in sectors where their skills are needed, by fostering their entrepreneurial skills for self-employment and empowering them to become active and engaged citizens.
The keynote lecture with the theme: ’’You Skill Training Initiatives – A strategic Investment in the Future of Nigerian Youths’’ was delivered by Ewa Orowale.
Orowale, who is the Executive Director of MAYEIN, urged the graduates to walk in kindness, live with integrity and lead with purpose.
