No fewer than 282 people have graduated from the United Nations Development Programme Vocational Skill Acquisition Centre at Oshodi, Lagos.
The centre, situated inside Oshodi/Isolo Local Government, is being maintained by the council.
Speaking during the 10th graduation ceremony, the council Chairman, Hon Bolaji Muse-Ariyoh emphasised the need to promote vocational training among Nigerian youths.
On the benefits of skill acquisition, Muse-Ariyoh said it will keep the youth away from the street.
“Our goal is to assist unemployed youths who are yet to gain admission into university with basic skills that are required in the economy, and most importantly instill in them the sense of creativity and self employment. It is also designed to stimulate self-reliance and improve leadership,” he said.
He said he has subsidised some courses to enable more youths access the training opportunity. “It is in the process of achieving this that our administration has decided to subsidised the expected amount to be paid for some courses. We have also gone the extra mile by sponsoring some youths to acquire various skills at the centre instead of lying idle on the streets which of course we know the danger inherent in it,” he said.
The graduates were trained in various courses at the centre among which are, computer studies and engineering, catering and hotel management, hairdressing and cosmetology, fashion designing and training, bead and hat making, photo and cinematography, building technology and performing arts.
Muse-Ariyoh thanked the instructors for their efforts on the graduates
He urged them to make good use of the skills they have acquired.
“Please use this privilege to eke out a living for yourself. All of us cannot be opportuned to secure white collar jobs. I will like to thank the instructors for their perseverance and endurance, it has been a job well done,” he said.