The Olumide Osunsina Foundation (OOF), the philanthropic arm of Megamound Investment Limited, has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to youth empowerment with the graduation of 45 trainees who completed its intensive vocational training programme.
Held at Carlton Gate Exclusive Hotel in Ibadan, the second edition of the Youth Skills Training Graduation Programme marked a significant increase from the inaugural 20 beneficiaries to 45, a clear sign of the Foundation’s expanding impact.
The event witnessed the presentation of certificates and startup tools to beneficiaries who had undergone training in event planning, culinary services, photography, fashion design, and solar/CCTV installation, preparing them for self-employment and community contribution.
In her opening remarks on behalf of the founder, Otunba Asiwaju Olumide Osunsina, Mrs. Desiree Osunsina expressed heartfelt pride in the graduates. She described their journey over the past six months as a “testament of resilience, dedication, and hunger for growth.”
“You are not just graduates today,” she said, “but empowered individuals with the potential to transform your communities and inspire others through your acquired skills.”
She noted that Otunba Osunsina, a successful businessman and passionate philanthropist, founded OOF as a way of giving back to the society that shaped his own upbringing. “He believes strongly in using his resources to open doors for others,” she emphasized.
Mrs. Osunsina highlighted the Foundation’s mission to empower underserved youth with technical skills that unlock their potential, while also supporting vulnerable children through educational scholarships.
She also disclosed the Foundation’s plan to expand training programs into plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work, skills aligned with opportunities within Megamound’s construction and facility management ecosystem.
“Successful graduates will not be left on their own,” she added. “The idea is to absorb some of them into Megamound companies, ensuring immediate access to employment.”
While addressing the media, Mrs. Osunsina further explained that the programme is completely free for beneficiaries. “From training to equipment, they pay nothing. It’s fully sponsored by Megamound as part of its corporate social responsibility.”
She proudly noted that although 50 youths were admitted into the 2024 programme, 45 completed the full six-month training cycle. “We do not compromise on quality or commitment. Only those who complete the full course are certified,” she said.
With over 1,000 applicants for the current batch, Mrs. Osunsina stressed the rigorous screening process to select only candidates with genuine interest in learning and entrepreneurship.
“There is so much potential here in Nigeria,” she said, urging youth to stay and build their futures locally. “Japa is not the only answer. There are opportunities here. You just need the right support and skills.”
Mrs. Osunsina also revealed that all funding comes directly from Megamound’s internal resources, with no external or donor support at this stage. “We allocate a percentage of company revenue to the Foundation,” she noted, “and this ensures sustainability and independence.”
She encouraged other corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals to emulate the model. “If more people join this movement, Nigeria’s youth unemployment challenge can be greatly reduced,” she concluded.
Project Manager of OOF, Mr. Ayodeji Oriyomi, in his remarks, described the Foundation’s dual focus, vocational training and educational scholarships for orphans and vulnerable children, as the backbone of its social investment strategy.
According to Oriyomi, the latest programme followed a structured selection and training model, beginning with community outreach, stakeholder engagement, and an intensive screening process across the Southwest region.
“Of the 50 shortlisted applicants, 45 completed the rigorous training that began in April and ended in October 2024,” he confirmed. “They are here today not just as graduates but as entrepreneurs in the making.”
Oriyomi emphasized the monitoring and evaluation system in place to ensure each trainee’s progress, both during and after the training. “We don’t just train and forget. We follow up, we mentor, and we measure impact,” he explained.
He revealed that about 90% of the 2022 cohort are now actively engaged in their respective trades, with some already mentoring apprentices and others funding further education with income earned from their skills.
Highlighting the real-world impact of the programme, Oriyomi shared that the elaborate graduation cake displayed at the ceremony was made by one of the graduates, while several others had begun receiving paid jobs and contracts.
He attributed much of the programme’s success to the dedication of OOF’s training partners, who are certified professionals with a passion for youth development. “Some even offer extended support to slower learners,” he added.
The Foundation, Oriyomi revealed, also provides scholarship support for orphans and vulnerable children at the secondary level, ensuring access to quality education for those often neglected by the system.
Beyond the structured training and scholarships, Oriyomi commended Otunba Osunsina’s broader philanthropic gestures, including donations to religious institutions and sponsorship of sports development projects nationwide.
He closed by affirming the Foundation’s long-term vision to become a national model for youth empowerment, with plans already in motion to launch the next batch of trainees immediately after this graduation.
As the event came to a close, the hall echoed with applause, joy, and hopeful anticipation, as 45 newly empowered youths stepped boldly into a future now filled with possibility.
Their stories are only just beginning, but thanks to the vision of one man and the support of his foundation, they now have the tools, skills, and belief to write those stories themselves.