By Charles Segun Adegbite
Ogun State Government met with the state chapter of Artisans Association of Nigeria(AAN) last Wednesday and began some moves towards upgrading technical education and improving their vocational skills with award of quality certificates.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical Education, Professor Joseph Odemuyiwa who received the leadership of the association at Governor’s Office, Abeokuta, said the meeting was to stop joblessness in the state, improve technical education and boost the status of artisans.
State Chairman of the AAN, Anthony Ayodele who led the artisans on courtesy visit to the Special Adviser, made case for government support in areas of engaging their members as teachers in state technical schools for vocational training of students.
He urged the government to help the association in areas of training and retraining their members to upgrade their skills with quality certification, to be able to compete more favorably with their counterparts nationally and internationally.
They also requested for establishment of Artisans Portal where job opportunities and those sourcing for quality services from artisans could go to get them.
Other things the association demanded for were: Engaging Ogun artisans in handling and execution of state projects.
Granting of access to funds and other financial assistance for them to run their artisans cooperative societies and help those who need loans for execution of big projects or purchasing of ultramodern equipment.
In response to the demands, Prof Odemuyiwa said it was because vocational education wasn’t taken serious by previous administrations that was the reason for the high levels of joblessness and poor technical education in the state and Nigeria.
He noted that Governor Abiodun was more concerned about making Ogun become a living state when it comes to technical education, and that was the reason for appointing him as his Special Adviser on Technical Education.
Odemuyiwa, who until his appointment was National President of Workplace Educators & Managers Association of Nigeria (WEMAN), said, “we must change our educational system towards meeting the needs of our state to reduce and eradicate joblessness”
He disclosed that summits, seminars and workshops for short-term courses with refreshers programmes would be organised regularly for artisans in Ogun State to upgrade their vocations and update their knowledge.
According to him, through focus and emphasis on vocational skills and improved technical education, jobless people would be taken out of the streets.
The university don then urged the artisans to be ready for this new development in the state because “all artisans in Ogun State would be trained by technical experts for them to be certified as eligible to practice in the state.
Those who refuse to upgrade their knowledge to meet acceptable standards and consequently become uncertified by government would be regarded as quacks and treated as such.
All critical stakeholders like Manufacturers Association of Nigeria(M.A.N), Ogun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture(OGCCIMA) and others would be involved in this new developments.
Leaders of the various artisans associations, who spoke during the interactive section, expressed their readiness to cooperate with the government and then drummed support for the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun.
Roll Calls At The Meeting
Those at the meeting included: The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Bosede Ogunleye; Director, Science and Technology, Mrs Oluwatosin M. Oloko; Deputy Chairman, Rewinders Association, Ogun State Chapter, Mr Olujimi Michael Adebola; State President, Wood Works, Carpenters & Furniture Association, Alhaji Toyin Lawal; State Public Relations Officer, Artisans Association, Mrs Quadri Oriyomi; State President, Nigeria Union of Tailors(NUT), Alhaji Yinusa; President, Shoemakers Association of Ogun State, Mr Kenny Oluwafemi Omobayonle; and many others
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