Kunle Adelabu
-All shortlisted candidates get cash support
The representative of Ikorodu Constituency II, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA), has continued to put smiles on the faces of his constituents as 10 maiden scholars of his initiative, AMA Giant Brain, emerged on Friday, after thorough screening of shortlisted participants.
The best brains were presented with a Dell laptop each and cash prize to support their pursuits in online business and education, in partnership with ADEX Solar Nigeria Limited.
About 50 shortlisted candidates that attended the screening led by Otunba Lanre Kuye, Director for Information/Public Relations, Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), at the AMA Hotel, Abule Eko in Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA), were also presented with cash.
Recall that portal was opened sometimes ago for interested candidates to register online for the initiative of the representative of Ikorodu Constituency II, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA) which aimed at identifying, empowerig and supporting brilliant youths in his constituency – Igbogbo/Bayeku, Ijede and Imota LCDA.
The event witnessed shortlisted participants from across the constituency being evaluated on their backgrounds, needs and goals in alignment with the program’s mission to advance digital literacy and foster entrepreneurial growth within the community.
Also at the screening were Director – General, AMA Team Smile Foundation, Mr Ade Bolowotan and members.
Among the 10 maiden winners were four from Ijede LCDA – Ogunboyejo Olakunle, Adeneye Enitan, Onadeko Tunde and Olapade Zakariya
Three candidates were selected from Imota LCDA – Benson Samuel, Azeez Idris and Kapo Rofiat, and another three from Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA – Kolejo Wasiu, Abdulsalam Adebayo and Ewulogbo Temiloluwa.
Speaking, Hon. AMA assured that the maiden edition will not be the end of the program which he said he will continue to sponsor and use in encouraging youths to develop their digital skills.
He encouraged any of the shortlisted students that is unable to win and others to look forward to the second and other editions for them to participate.
While emphasizing that the initiative was designed to uplift youths and the community, AMA said that all the participants are winners because of their outstanding performances.
“Everyone is a winner with Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun”, he remarked, emphasizing the program’s commitment to uplifting the entire community.
The AMA Giant Brain program continues to make a positive impact, empowering youths through digital tools and financial support across the constituency.
Otunba Olanrewanju Kuye, the Director of Information/Public Relations, Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu, described the initiative as one of the best he has seen, while stating that the winners were selected through a thorough process.
“Well, this is one of the best idea that I have seen around in the recent times, and I so much believe in fairness and the man did just that to the process of selecting best among the candidates. He said that we should interview them and he never interfered. He also asked all others not to interfere at all.
“We did a very thorough job to have come up with those ten people. If you can recall, we went into second round just to determine those who are better. Those we chose are the best.
“I am convinced they are the best. They performed very well”, he said.
While stating that he wants the exercise to continue, Otunba Kuye said that its continuity would encourage youths to strive hard to improve themselves and their society.
“I want the exercise to continue like AMA rightly promised. He said they will do it again this year and I pray that he has the capacity to do it again next year so that it will encourage our youths to be better and the society too.
“Well, for those who have got the opportunity. they should use the laptop for their growth; for social development and for the youth development in the community. We need the youths to grow. While we say they are the leaders of tomorrow, how many of them are ready to lead tomorrow? So, with this encouragement, we’ll have more youths for the development of tomorrow”, he said.
One of the beneficiaies, Abdulsalam Adebayo Tijani, President, Igbogbo Students Union, expressed his appreciation for AMA’s gesture which he said would be helpful to him and others.
“I’m very happy today, because I didn’t even know I will qualify because there are lots of people that are very qualified here too and thanks to God for Hon. AMA for doing this. On behalf of myself and my family, I would like to say thank you to Honorable Aro Moshood Abiodun, for this initiative. This will go a long way in helping a lot of youths and students to strive in their academy, careers and in other areas”, he said.
Another beneficiary, Kafo Rofiat Oluwatobi, a 300 level Marketing student of Lagos State University of Science and Technology from Imota LCDA, said that she was amazed and grateful.
“This is amazing and I feel grateful for having this opportunity to be here and to win this laptop. I would say thank you to AMA, for this initiative of giving the youths this opportunity. Thank you very much”.
Azeez Oluwasegun, a 300 level student from Imota and a 300 level Computer Science student of Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSECH), also commenting, said:
“I feel very, very excited to be part of the few selected for this amazing program initiated by the AMA Smile Foundation and sponsored by AMA himself, Hon Aro Moshood Abiodun. I am grateful to the sponsors and to the organizers of this event for such an opportunity.
“This initiative will really help me improve my skills in coding and make me a more efficient and professional web developer that I aim to become”.
Benson Samuel, a 400 level student of Architecture, CALEB University, who hails from Imota LCDA, also stated:
“Personally, I feel like the initiative is a very good one and for someone like me that is into digital marketing and the use of software, building software like AutoCAD and Revit, this initiative will greatly support me.
“It would help improve my skills in digital marketing and the use of my software designs.
“AMA is doing good; AMA has done good and AMA will continue to do good. This is a very nice initiative, and I want to encourage them to, please, do more of this. This is what we need now in the community thank you”.
Onadekan Babatude Oluwatobi, a resident of Ijede and student of the OPEN University, said:
“I’m a beneficiary of the AMA Giant lnitiative, and I think this is one of its kind and I implore other representativs to, please, follow the steps of our great leader and builder, AMA. He’s been doing so well. This initiative has been built to help the youths and advance their careers in technology. God bless AMA, God bless Ikorodu.Thank you”.
