On Thursday, September 20, 2018, at the Ikorodu Town Hall, the Ikorodu Division Human Resource Development Board (IDHRDB) organised a stakeholders’ summit under the auspices of the Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG), where they brain-stormed and recommended that Ikorodu youths, especially the unemployed graduates and others, should acquire Vocational/Technical skills to checkmate unemployment and improve their lives.
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who oversees the Education sector, talked on the theme of the Summit, “Managing Human Capital Potential: Emphasis on Entrepreneurship and Vocational Education.” According to her, this is most relevant now because every stakeholder desires the best educational delivery that makes youths in the State relevant, productive and resourceful after school or graduation. She was of the opinion that for the youths to be relevant, there has to be focus on the type of education that would expose students and youth to skills and vocational development.
The Deputy Governor, however, stated that school curriculum must constantly be reviewed to integrate the knowledge that would encourage students to use their hands, learn what they are passionate about, and as a result, unleash their potentials. Continuing further, she said that no nation can compete effectively in the emerging global market with poorly educated and unskilled workers, stating that technical and educational training are the vehicles for rapid economic growth. In her words, “Progressive economic development is not in a nation that buys and sells, but it also encompasses the actual production of the goods, which is done by skilled technicians.”
Aside this, she said the option left for us is to truly diversify our economy and be less dependent on oil to tap the potentials of our youths, to empower them with the skills and vocation of their choice and instill in them the spirit of entrepreneurship. She also explained through her representative, Mrs. Adekaye Adebunmi Elizabeth that the Lagos State Government had continued to provide students and youths in the State with vocational and technical skills through the creation of the State Technical and Vocational Board (LASTVEB).
According to her, the Technical Colleges in the State have been increased to eight while there is ongoing advocacy for improvement in enrollment. She announced that the days of the “white collar jobs” were over, explaining that the youths, especially the unemployed graduates and house wives, should learn a skill at any of the seventeen skills and vocational centers of the State Government to become job owners and not job seekers anymore.
The guest speaker at the summit, former Rector, Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, and immediate past Executive Secretary (LASTVEB), Engr. Olawunmi Anthony Gasper, condemned the situation where unemployed graduates took up commercial cycling. He said such behaviour would not augur well or help them when they are elderly. He pointed out that with vocational skills, they can remain relevant, profitable and resourceful, even at old age. Engr. Gasper also enjoined all unemployed graduates to acquire vocational training to add to their higher education certificates, stating that their formal education, coupled with their creativity, would distinguish them amongst other professionals in their chosen vocation. The former Polytechnic Don advised parents to encourage their children to see entrepreneurship as a significant venture, which they must pursue right from their school years.
In his conclusion, he commended the organisers of the summit, IDHRDB, for always championing the cause of Ikorodu development. He wished to see all Ikorodu youths being creative, resourceful, productive and innovative; thereby, creating jobs and turning themselves to employers of labour.
Mrs. Omolara Erogbogbo, the current Executive Secretary, LASTVEB, told the parents and students to change the wrong perceptions about technical and vocational training. She said that such was not meant for dropouts, adding that acquiring such skills would promote economic growth and reduce the rate of unemployment in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Akinola Ogunlewe, said that the quick money syndrome amongst youths does not respect value, culture and tradition as observed in Ikorodu; hence, such crave must be stopped. Dr. Ogunlewe enjoined the youths to think of what they can do for their country, state and community as a whole. He was of the view that honour, dignity, integrity, patriotism and moral values should be promoted by leaders in Ikorodu to foster human and physical development.
Alhaji Fatai Olalekan Lasisi (FCA), Chairman of Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG), speaking earlier, disclosed that the passion of the Group informed the creation of IDHRDB to harness human and physical resources for the development of Ikorodu division educational system. He said government’s efforts in formulating new policies and implementing some towards promoting entrepreneurship and multi-skills acquisition in schools must be supported.
Also, Chief Kunle Wahab, Chairman, IDHRDB, said high rate of unemployment among graduates and senior school students must be checked to avoid it degenerating to truancy in school, poor academic performances and poor motivation to learning, which ultimately might lead to stunted economic growth in the nation. He pointed out that with the theme of the summit, the right thing would be done and Ikorodu would be better for it. Prizes were given to winners and others, who participated in essay competition on the theme of the summit while plaques of Excellence Awards were presented to the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, the Chairman of the occasion and the Guest Speaker. The event was later brought to a memorable close.
