In just eighteen months of its establishment, the Biodun Coker Foundation has trained more than 700 residents of Lagos Island in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) through its Lagos Island Information Technology (LIIT) programme.
The Foundation, founded and chaired by Mr. Biodun Coker, has successfully graduated eight batches of students since the launch of the initiative, with 90 participants completing each session. This brings the total number of beneficiaries to 720 (seven hundred and twenty).
At the 8th graduation ceremony held at the Foundation’s headquarters on Lagos Island, Mr. Coker said the initiative was conceived to create opportunities and give residents the platform to improve their lives.
“Why did we set up this Biodun Coker Foundation? We are looking at our community, Lagos Island, and we say we want to uplift people. And there is that saying that ‘we are not serious in Lagos Island, that all we do is party.’ But in Biodun Coker Foundation, we said no, that is not the narrative,” he said.
He expressed pride in the impact of the project, adding: “I am proud that, as we stand here today, which I also think everyone associated with the Foundation is, and probably Lagos Island as a community as well is, at the Foundation, we have been able to impact and graduate eight batches of students. You multiply 90 by 8, and that tells you the number of lives impacted so far.”
Mr. Coker encouraged the new graduates to make judicious use of the skills they had gained and use them to contribute positively to society.
“You are not just here by yourselves; you are here representing your families, because whatever you learn here, you will take it back home to support your parents.
“I want you, in the future, to hold positions. I want you to be working in big places and say, ‘Oh, the reason I am here is because I got IT skills at Biodun Coker Foundation,’” he said.
The Director of the Foundation, Mr. Adeleke Olalekan, highlighted other initiatives undertaken by the organisation, which include scholarships, academic excursions, healthcare programmes, as well as training on Ethical Leadership for Community Development Committees and Security Management courses for security personnel on the Island.
Certificates were presented to the graduating students, while special awards were given to outstanding participants.
Among dignitaries present at the ceremony were Hon. Hurairat Ologunmaga, representing Lagos Island Ward A1; Hon. Sulaimon Ekun; and Hon. Gbemisola Lucas.
