Ogun State government has disclosed that it would empower artisans in the state with equipment to practice their trades.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Prof. Joseph Odemuyiwa, revealed the decision while speaking with newsmen in his office in Abeokuta, noting that many trained and certificated technicians and artisans are taking to other things other than their trade due to lack of capital and basic tools.
He said: “The present administration ably led by Prince Dapo Abiodun has been much focused as regards technical and vocational education and training. We have made great strides in empowering the people, most especially youths with skills; we have engaged them in training in collaboration with our international partners and are well certificated. However, we observed that many trained technicians are becoming okada riders because they don’t have the necessary equipment with which to work.
“Some trained in technical colleges, some trained informally and non-formally, at the end of the day, they find themselves as okada riders, taxi drivers, etc. We are trying to embark on empowerment in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Investment so that when you are trained and certificated, you can be linked up with financial institutions to assist you with the necessary equipment.”