By Ayodele Ifasakin
No fewer than 200 students of Lagos State Education District I acquired skills in different vocations during a three-week skills acquisition programme organised by the District to empower its students.
The free skills acquisition programme, according to the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of District I, Mrs. Titilayo Solarin, was intended to complement the classroom academic training for the students, alleviate poverty and encourage them to be self-reliant and independent.
Speaking at the end of the annual Vocational Training and Skills Acquisition programme held at Government Senior College, Agege, Mrs. Solarin said that the Lagos State government is giving the students all-encompassing education to produce leaders with distinct knowledge, great skills and character.
The Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary said the training held across all the six Educational Districts, commending Governor Sanwo-Olu for approving the programme for students of public secondary schools to acquire skills in different vocations and avoid reliance on white-collar jobs alone for survival.
Her words: "It is a fact that unemployment has become a major problem bedevilling youths globally. Nigeria, just like other developing countries, is faced with several challenges ranging from unemployment, insurgency, diseases and insecurity, among others. Having the required skills to keep the country's economy vibrant and being productive will go a long way in addressing most of these challenges".
Also speaking on the initiative, the Director of Co-curricular, Science and Technology Department, Mrs. Lucy Omoaka, disclosed that some of the student trainees have been selected for empowerment and would be provided with vocational tools and materials for exceptional performance during the period of the training.
She said that the students were trained on Soapmaking (liquid, medicated solid soaps), Small chops, Hall Decoration, Tye & Dye, Make-up, Gele-tying and Adire materials.
The event had in attendance the Director, School Administration, Mr. Oluyemi Adeshina; the Principal of Lagos Baptist School, Orile Agege, Mr. Michael Shofolahan and the Principal of the Lagos School Model Junior College, Meiran, Mrs. Olajumoke Adesanmi, among others.
