Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
An Assistant Director with the Agency for Mass Education, Ministry of Education in Lagos State and Principal, Etunrenren Vocational Training Centre, Ikorodu, Mrs Olalaide Oladunjoye, has urged youths and residents of Ikorodu generally, on the need to acquire vocational training.
Mrs Oladunjoye said that the training guarantees independence and economic power for graduands, thereby, appealing to residents of Ikorodu, to take advantage of the Etunrenren Vocational Centre and others in their locations.
She made the appeal while speaking with THE IMPACT, during a sentisation rally where she led staff and some of the trainees at the Etunrenren Vocational Training centre, round the Ayangburen (Sabo) market in Ikorodu and also to Jamatul Primary, Kokoro – Abu, Onisigida, Itunmoja, Alhaji Street, Ladega, Ojubode and back to Etunrenren Centre.
She said that more people need to register at the centre to get economic independence.
The sensitization and awareness campaign was aimed at mobilizing prospective trainees for admission into the centre for the next session commencing in January, 2025.
“Again, we are out to sensitise the community; the people of Ikorodu and it environ, on the need to take advantage of Etunrenen Vocational Training Centre where various vocational skills are learnt. Skills that will make people economically empowered.
“We have various skills and trade that we teach. We teach tailoring which is fashion designing. We teach people how to bake bread and cook generally, which is catering, we are also into millinery and facilitator, and there are so many other trades that they need to take advantage of.
“We know that many already knew that we are there, but we want them to also tell those that don’t know about the centre, that they should take advantage of the training centre. Let them come because the government has place it at their door step and is left for the people to take advantages of it’’, she said.
Speaking on various skills that they offer at the Etunrenren Centre, Mrs Oladunjoye said:
“Among various vocational skills that we have are fashion designing, where we teach people how to make different garments and different clothing. We also teach them how to do event decoration and party planning.
“We teach them computer and digital skills which is the knowledge of 21st century. In this section, we teach them various digital skills like how to do graphic design, and different skills that can be learnt through digital knowledge.
“There is also phone repair. We know almost everybody make use of phones these days, so, we teach them how to repair it. This afford you the opportunity to know how to repair your phones when it’s faulty and also earns income from others that are in need of your service in that regard.
“Another training that we offer is barbing, likewise, hair dressing. We teach how to make tie gele (head tie) and of course we are in Lagos where we enjoy going to party. So, this is good for our people to learn how to do their geles and make up.
“We teach them how to make soap and other household items, chemicals and allied products. You need to clean your toilets, clean your environment, and fumigate your surroundings. Come and take advantages of all these skills by coming to learn something and become self -empowered and economically independent”, she said.
The Assistant Director also emphasized the success stories from the centre, stating how former trainees of the centre have turned entrepreneurs, employers of labour and trainers.
“It has been success, success and success all the way with our trainees that have completed their programmes in the last two years. They have been self-employed. There are those that have put up their vocational trade; set up their shops and others who have been opportuned to secured work with big organisations.
“We have our trainees who are working in big hotels; five stars hotels, here in Lagos and other places. They acquired their skills from our catering department. Those that learnt fashion designing have also established big fashion schools and shops.
“A case in point is one of our fashion trainees that have fully established as Igbo – Oluwo fashion centre, and there is another one in Solomade that is also fully established and also teach other people about the trade. So, the success story is something that is uncountable and we are happy to share that with you”, she said.
While emphasizing reasons why residents of Ikorodu need to take advantage of the centre, Mrs Oladunjoye further highlighted the benefits.
“The benefits are many that I can’t begin to count it. Aside from the fact that they will be self-employed, they will also be economically independent. They don’t need to rely on anybody. They will definitely be certified after the training.
“For those who are even fortunate to go outside the shores of Nigeria, many of them are using the skills that they have learnt to earn a living.
“I can assure you that those that acquired skills will not need to wait on anybody to feed, and they are going to contribute to the economy of the country, and betterment of the society. They will definitely not be nuisance to the environment neither will they be nuisance to their community. So, the advantages are uncountable”.
