Meet Abayomi Oke-Asiwaju, the Founder of SKATA

Meet Abayomi Oke-Asiwaju, the Founder of SKATA.

The name Abayomi Oke-Asiwaju is synonymous with creativity and innovative ideas. This young man has pioneered quite a lot of initiatives that has socio-economic impact on his community. In the area of entertainment, he organised the first ever fashion show in Ota in 2017 where nothing less than 30 models were employed while other stakeholders in the fashion & entertainment industry like; Fashion Designers, Make-Up Artists, Photographers, Caterers, etc were gainfully engaged.

He didn't stop at that in that same year as he later birthed the first successful Comedy Club in Ota at Lounge 365 inside the Palms Ota Mall where fast rising Comedians - Parkhage & Ovy Godwin (Ali Baba's Spontaneity Finalist & Winner) headlined the weekly show with appearances from star comedians like Omobaba, DeeOne & other upcoming comedians.

Asiwaju has in recent years remain committed to raising stars from Ota and contributing to the socioeconomic growth of Ogun State. He has influenced so many of his colleagues in the Media & Entertainment industry to operate from Ota or stage their events, shoot their movies and record their TV Shows in Ota. This has in many ways promoted tourism, develop talents and equally grow small & medium businesses in Ota and it's environs.

In his bid to build capacity, Abayomi has been instrumental to the organisation of many seminars & workshops in Ota. Aside from his yearly Young Leaders Forum Conference, he has facilitated nothing less than 10 Seminars in the last two years.

The biggest of all his capacity building initiative is SKATA. SKILL AND TALENT ACADEMY is the brain child of Abayomi Oke-Asiwaju. According to the Youth Development Crusader; "one of the ways to develop a young person is to empower his dreams. Many of our youths have fantastic dreams but lack training, platform and encouragement. We created SKATA as a place where you will receive the rudimentary training to kick start your dream job. We will equally offer you platform to showcase yourself to the world. In three weeks, we will equip you with the right information and positive mindset to become a social entrepreneur and a change agent. So, SKATA isn't just a place where you acquire skills only but a place where you learn Life Skills needed in the 21st century as a Young Entrepreneur & Innovator"

During summer last year, about 200 youths benefited in the scheme. Again this year, about the same number of participants have equally enrolled for #SKATASEASON2. The amazing thing about SKATA Season 2 is that, 40% of the participants are older folks who fall in between the ages of 30-50 years. The testimonies of the first season attracted a lot of people for the second edition.

When asked about the future of SKATA, the founder who happens to be the Provost said, "Our vision for SKATA is to have SKATA Centre with all the needed facilities of an Academy including Hostel facilities. Currently we have participants who come from outside Ota and can't possibly be going home everyday. We had to make an accommodation arrangement for them. SKATA will later snowballed into a full fledge Academy that runs different periodic courses throughout the year. It won't be a seasonal academy. Participants will have the opportunity to learn skills like; Fashion Design, Catering, Make-Up, Photography, Digital Skill, and Talents like Acting, Dancing, Music, Modelling etc"

When asked if SKATA will continue to be FREE for participants, he said; "I really wish it is so if we get support from Government and sponsors who key into our vision of building capacity and empowering the dreams of young people. We had it planned out that if I emerge as a Federal Legislator in the last election, I will ensure SKATA Centre is built and of course it will be Free for all".

Abayomi Oke-Asiwaju planned to represent the good people of Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency in the National Assembly under ACCORD Party, he has since decamped to APC after his election. He is currently a member of the Dapo Abiodun's Economic Transition Committee under Education, Youth and Sport Work Group.

Asiwaju as he is popularly reffered to is a Youth Development Crusader and Good Governance Advocate. He is the Creative Director of Novent Concept, a Media & Entertainment outfit in Ota.

As a student, he was involved with campus politics in his drive to see that student welfare and interest are protected. He was the Students' Union Government General Secretary of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree during his OND programme as well as the pioneer President of NABAMS of Allover Central Polytechnic, Ota.

In 2018, he led about 300 youths on a voter's sensitization walk in Ota. He was instrumental to bringing Google to Ota to train youths on Digital Skill.

A recipient of various awards right from his school days to his former place of work (Bank PHB now Keystone Bank) where he was awarded Best Staff of the Month in his 100 days at work. He was conferred an Ambassador for World Changers Club by Heal The World Mission Inc in 2018 and equally received Impact Makers Merit Award same year.

Oke is a member of Young Africa Leaders Initiative (YALI), founder of De CHAMPS, a club for teens & tweens aimed at raising purpose-driven young adults. He is a public speaker and has spoken at nothing less than 50 events in the last 6 months about talents promotion, skill development, leadership and soft skills.

Asiwaju himself is a bundle of talent. He is an Actor, a Filmmaker, a TV Presenter and Social Commentator, Model Trainer, Photographer and a certified Google Digital Marketer.

He is married to Olamide Oke and they are blessed with wonderful children.