The Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Technical and Vocational Education, Prof. Joseph Odemuyiwa has revealed that more skill acquisition programmes would be geared towards the Agricultural sector and its value chain, as it remains the number one vocation in Nigeria.

Prof. Odemuyiwa disclosed this in Abeokuta at a Day roundtable meeting with stakeholders in TVET towards the establishment of a Public-Private Dialogue Platform in the State, saying the present administration had provided avenues to train and empower youths to discourage them from unproductive ventures.  

The Special Adviser said there were enormous opportunities embedded in the sector, that the nation could explore to produce people that would be useful to themselves and the society, noting that strengthening partnerships with the Ministries of Agriculture, Industry, Trade and Investments, among others would help achieve the goal.

Prof. Odemuyiwa pointed out that criminality, insecurity and other vices plaguing some parts of the country could be nipped in the bud when school leavers and graduates across different levels of education in the country acquired skills in relevant areas that would engender economic growth and development, reiterating the focus of the government on youth’s employability skills to keep them away from crime.

“There is indeed a connection in unemployment, criminality and insecurity, this underscores why the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun placed a high premium on skill acquisition for the youths and in collaboration with the GIZ, World Bank and other partners”, he stated.

 Speaking earlier the State Coordinator, GIZ-SKYE, Mr.  Aliyu Ibrahim, said the forum would serve as a think-tank to guide, streamline, coordinate and complement government’s efforts for sustainable and comprehensive policies that would guide implementation of employment promotion and labour-related matters, towards job creation in the State.

 In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Oluola Aikulola, appreciated the GIZ for partnering with the State on training, job creation and skills development, among others, saying Government would continue to provide enabling environment for businesses, and other institutions to thrive.