By Dayan Gyunom Marshal
The Kabido Open Future for Community Development Initiative (KOFCDI) successfully held its first inaugural lecture in Kwoi, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The event marked the official kickstart of the NGO’s community engagement efforts, driven by its vision of a future where young people have equal access to digital tools, knowledge, and opportunities to thrive, and its mission to promote digital access, inclusion, and youth empowerment through capacity building, partnerships, and community-driven initiatives.
The program commenced with an opening prayer led by a member of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Benjamin Wehyang, followed by a welcome address delivered by the Founder of KOFCDI, Mr. Adamu Marshal.
In his remarks, the founder described the initiative as a legacy project, stating that participants were not only present to learn, but to learn and pass the knowledge on to others. He emphasized the growing digital nature of the world and the central role of youths as the backbone of society, noting that they would pilot the movement for the future, a belief reflected in the organization’s name, Open Future for Community Development Initiative.
He further remarked, “If we have one hundred people here and they don’t understand what we are doing, then we have done nothing. But if we have just one person who understands, then we have done something.”
He encouraged young people to make positive use of social media to promote their talents, the Ham culture, and their communities.
Following the opening remarks, an engaging lecture session was delivered by the guest speaker, entrepreneur and lecturer, Mrs. Irvin Essien. Her session featured interactive discussions, questions and answers, and practical insights into opportunities available for youths in today’s fast-changing digital world. She laid emphasis on digital marketing, content creation, YouTube automation, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI).
The event also featured a keynote address by the Chairman and Special Guest of the occasion, Engr. David Dogo, Ciroma Ham. In his speech, he challenged youths not to remain idle in the present era, stressing that with proper and healthy usage, the internet remains one of the fastest tools for personal growth and success. He highlighted several benefits of digital access and urged participants to seize online opportunities early, warning that technological advancement, particularly AI, is rapidly reshaping the future.
Drawing from local realities, he encouraged participants to leverage the internet to promote their culture and traditions, including aspects of village life and heritage. He urged them to put what they learned into practice, stating, “It is easy to listen, but more difficult to practice. If you do not start now, tomorrow may be too late.”
At the conclusion of the program, certificates of participation were presented to attendees, followed by group photographs.
In post-event interviews, participants shared key lessons learned and how they intended to apply the knowledge gained. The guest speaker also spoke on the importance of digital inclusion for youth development, while a member of the Board of Trustees encouraged young people to acquire relevant skills and promote themselves positively. In a closing interview, the founder further explained the meaning behind the NGO, the motivation for establishing the initiative, and hinted at upcoming programs.
More updates and information will be shared in due course.
