28th November, 2024
The Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) has reiterated its commitment to equipping young people with essential skills to address the growing issue of youth unemployment in the state.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation (KAAF) Construction Trades Training Programme, held in Ikeja on Thursday, the Executive Secretary of LASTVEB, Ms Moronke Azeez, commended the graduates for their dedication.
She highlighted the state government’s focus on youth empowerment as a cornerstone of its economic development agenda.
“The Lagos State Government, through LASTVEB, is dedicated to providing technical skills that not only create employment opportunities but also enable self-employment,” Azeez said.
She said the ceremony marked the culmination of a partnership between LASTVEB’s Skills for Work Programme and the KAAF Foundation, a collaboration that has provided training in trades such as plumbing, electrical repairs, carpentry, and masonry.
Azeez expressed gratitude to the foundation’s founder, Sir Kesington Adebutu, for his unwavering support, which includes providing a fully equipped training centre in Surulere.
“Through the generosity of the KAAF Foundation, tools have been donated to the graduating students to help them kickstart their careers,” Azeez noted, adding that the foundation’s involvement has paved the way for many success stories.
To the graduating students, Azeez offered heartfelt congratulations and urged them to apply the lessons learnt during their training to their professional and personal endeavours.
Delivering the keynote address, Peace Ajogo, Administrative Manager of Premier Lotto, speaking on the theme “Relevance of Technical Education,” underscored the pivotal role of technical and vocational education in Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
Ajogo began by congratulating the graduates, emphasising their potential to contribute significantly to the nation’s workforce.
“We have constantly received feedback that our past graduates are excelling, whether as self-employed individuals or in gainful employment with various organisations,” she said.
Ajogo highlighted the pressing need to close the skill gap in Nigeria, citing the country’s over-reliance on expatriates for technical expertise.
“Due to skill gaps, expatriate hire continues to plague the Nigerian labour market because we are still tied to the technological apron strings of industrial nations,” she observed.
She outlined the benefits of Technical and Vocational Education (TE), including its shorter course duration, affordability, and focus on practical, industry-relevant skills.
“Technical education is vital in addressing unemployment, reducing crime, and boosting national productivity,” she said, adding that Nigeria must advance from equipment repair to equipment fabrication to compete globally.
Ajogo called on the government and private sector to strengthen support for TE, saying “To bridge the skill gap and eliminate dependence on foreign economies, Nigerian leaders and well-meaning individuals must do more to make vocational training accessible to more youths.”
The event, which celebrated the accomplishments of graduates trained in various trades, reaffirmed the significance of technical education as a pathway to self-reliance and national development.
Ajogo concluded with an inspiring message to the graduates: “Do not stop learning. You can be the drivers of Nigeria’s technological advancement and global competitiveness.”
