The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, has charged youths in the state to avail themselves of the abundant skill acquisition opportunities in the state to be self-reliant and for job creation.
The governor gave the charge at an event marking the graduation of about 120 participants of the year 2022 National Industrial Skill Development Programme held in Akure, the state capital.
Represented at the event by the state Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele, Akeredolu noted that the training would not only make the trainees self-reliant but would also make them potential employers of labour.
He thanked the management of the Industrial Training Fund for complementing his government’s efforts towards engaging the youths in productive ventures.
While highlighting some of the programmes of his administration to ensure the youths were empowered, Gov. Akeredolu said the state had recently set up a technology hub along Igbatoro Road in the capital city to give the youths opportunities of showcasing their entrepreneurial skills.
The governor urged beneficiaries of the training programme to make good use of the opportunity provided by the training to contribute their quota to the economic development of the state and Nigeria at large
‘I am aware that the Industrial Training Fund has trained 120 of you in requisite skills in Hair Dressing, Solar-Powered Installation and Aluminium Fabrication. You have to use the knowledge you have all garnered in the training optimally.” Akeredolu said.
‘I strongly advise that you should see this as an opportunity to be self-employed…This will help you to create an effective and efficient plan for developing new abilities and advancing your careers.’ He added.
In his remarks, the Director General of the Industrial Training Fund, Sir Joseph Ari said no fewer than 500,000 thousand Nigerians had so far benefitted from such trainings with over 20,000 from Ondo State.
Ari, who was represented by his Director of Standardisation, Certification and Consultancy Services, Mr James Abimbola, appreciated Gov. Akeredolu for his roles in the successes recorded in the training programmes in the state so far.
The event featured the presentation of certificates and start-up packs for the trainees.
Sina Adeyeye,
Office of the HOS