The Chairman, Badagry Local Government, Mr Olusegun Onilude, has urged youths to embrace vocational skills in pursuit of their educational career.
Onilude gave the advice during the 18th Graduation and Matriculation Ceremony of BLG United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Skill Acquisition Training Programme Centre in Ajara, Badagry, Lagos, on Thursday.
He said that white collars job was no longer available, adding that some graduates that left school years back were still jobless.
“So, I believe the best place for youths after leaving schools to be self employed, is to acquire vocational skills.
“For those who are going to schools, they should not rely only on their schooling and in addition to that, they should take this skill acquisition as a serious issue, so that they can be self employed,” he said.
“For those who are going to schools, they should not rely only on their schooling and in addition to that, they should take this skill acquisition as a serious issue, so that they can be self employed,” he said.
“Also, we are sending forth the qualified youths after undergoing standardised systemic theories and practices to a level of graduation to booster the employer of labour.
“To the incoming students, the journey has began, today, it is the turn of the graduands but tomorrow it will be yours.
“This administration has put everything in place to secure a place in the skill acquisition centre.
‘Maximise the facilities we have put in place and be teachable so that one day you will be celebrated,” he said.
Mrs Risikat Padonu-Hassan, the Supervisor for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, BLG, said the ultimate goal of the centre was to alleviate poverty.
Padonu-Hassan said that about 100 students of the centre were graduating, adding that 108 students martriclated.
She noted that the graduating students had been tutored for years under proficient masters in various technical know-how, art and craft with steadfast strictness and supervision at the centre.
“In the same vein, the matriculating students are the seed that will grow into trees whose shade will shelter many economically.
“Therefore, I charge the matriculants to grid themselves for the training and tasks ahead.
“You must be ready to unlearn, relearn and learn if you want to be stream of poverty alleviation for yourself and society,” she said. (NAN)