Technical education panacea to unemployment – Fayemi

From Victor Akinkuolie,  Ado-Ekiti
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Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has identified technical and vocational education as a panacea to unemployment.

Fayemi said his administration has concluded plan to collaborate with development partners towards repositioning the Government Technical College, Ado Ekiti by equipping it with world class facilities.

Speaking through the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi at an Innovation Lecture organised by the Board for Technical and Vocational Education at the college, Fayemi urged youths to show interest in skills acquisition to empower themselves and be self-reliant.

According to a statement signed by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, the school now boasts of state-of-the-art auto mechanics workshop, garment and fashion workshop, vehicle building workshop, welding and metal fabrication workshop and carpentry and joinery workshop among others.

Fayemi disclosed that his administration within six months in office paid for three examinations required of final year students of Technical Colleges in Ekiti State.

The Governor explained that countries like Japan, South Korea, China, Germany, United States of America and the United Kingdom leveraged on technical education which aided their advancement in technology.

The Chairman of the Board for Technical and Vocational Education, Hon. Kayode Babade hailed Fayemi for the great work of transformation of the college which he said was a step towards launching Ekiti on the path of technological advancement.

Babade assured that no efforts would be spared by the government to develop the four remaining technical colleges to the standard of that of Ado Ekiti.

The board chairman urged traditional rulers, parents and guardians to assist in mobilizing unemployed youths to embrace skills acquisition by attending the rejuvenated technical schools in the state.

The Executive Secretary, Board for Technical and Vocational Education, Dr (Mrs) Folu Ayeleso, said investment in technical education would aid the Ekiti knowledge based economy being envisioned by the Fayemi administration.

She said the deficit of information and awareness about technical and vocational education has contributed to the wide gap between skilled graduates and employment graduates.

Two resource persons, a University Don, Prof. Sam Adejuyigbe and a Building Technologist, Mr. Gbenga Ayeleso, enlightened the students on the importance of technical and vocational education.