Artisans express concern over lack of apprentices

Some artisans in Osogbo said youths have become increasingly reluctant to become apprentice in the state. They told NAN in Osogbo that craftsmanship, which they considered vital to development of the nation, was going into extinction.

“The decreasing numbers of artisans and the neglect of craftsmanship by the youths in the country should attract the attention of all arms of government,” they contended.

Mr Oladele Ipoola, a member of Osogbo Welders Association, said youths, who should engage themselves in vocational skills, “were now in okada business due to greed and laziness.”

Ipoola stated that the acquisition of skills had been greatly neglected by the youths, adding that vocational skills were relevant to the development of the nation.

“In those days, many youths who were not interested in schooling became artisans but that is no longer the case.

“This is simply because of greed for money and impatience; many of the youths are no longer interested in learning hand work.

“Who will take over when the older ones in the job are gone? That is my concern. “And no nation can survive without artisans, no matter how strong.”

Ipoola, however, appealed to parents to encourage their children who are not interested in formal education, to get busy with some form of vocational skills training.

Chief Akeem Ogunkoya, a mechanic, said vocational skill acquisition gives individuals the skills to live, learn and work as a productive citizen in the society.

He said it was regrettable that such a scheme was losing relevance, adding that, the dearth of apprentices in the town and in the country at large was socially and economically injurious as it robbed the nation of the contributions of youths to national development.

Mrs Bimbo Lawal, a hairdresser, also said that youths were not interested in handiwork anymore.

“Things are no longer the same. I used to have up to five or more apprentices in my shop. Nowadays, hardly do I get one in a year.

“Most of these girls now engage in hawking or prostitution which to me is not in any way better than handiwork.”

Mr Tunde Kolawole, a fashion designer, said ‘quick money syndrome’ was the reason that youths were ignoring vocational skills acquisition.’’

Kolawole said youths, who were out of school, believed in looking for jobs that would give them quick money rather than spending two or more years in learning a trade or hand work.

“The way things are going, in the next three to five years, we might find it hard to see youths learning vocational skill and that will be dangerous to our economy.

“Just imagine if there are no longer mechanics, electricians, painters, tailors and many other artisans, what do you think will happen to our economy?

“Most of our youths now prefer commercial motorcycling to any other jobs and our government is encouraging this by giving out motorcycles as empowerment tool instead of enrolling the youths in vocation skill acquisition.