...sponcors 21 youths for vocational training

In furtherance of the premium he places on education, as a means to unleash the potentials of youths, the Chairman, Eredo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Rasaq Saliu, recently conducted an inspection tour of vocational training facilities - at the Nigeria Opportunities Industrialization Centre (NOIC) Gbagada, Lagos.

He was accompanied by top officials from the Executive and Legislative Arms of the LCDA.

NOIC's Gbagada centre is currently hosting 21 youths from Eredo LCDA. They are undergoing 6 months intensive training in various vocations. They are: Textile and Fashion Design, Hotel and Catering, Computer Studies and Electrical Installation.

The current trainees constitute the first batch of 250 students earmarked for the training and empowerment programme.

Addressing the trainees, the LCDA Chairman, assured them of the provision of empowerment tools.

This, he pointed out, would enable them, ply their vocations at the completion of the programme - thus enabling them contribute their quota towards advancement of Eredo LCDA.

Hon. Saliu added that the programme is an integral part of his cardinal objectives, geared towards curbing youth idleness and criminality.

According to Saliu: " The best way to get youths off the streets - is to get a them engaged and empowered." Consequently, he appealed to the trainees, to justify the confidence reposed in them, by studying hard and excelling in their
vocations.

The trainees, on their part assured the Council Chairman, of their resolve to excel in their vocational studies. They further commended his vision and passion for investing in youth empowerment.

In his remarks, Abraham Adeleke, the Centre's Programme Manager, commended Saliu for initiating the programme.

Shedding light on NOIC's mission, Adeleke said, it seeks to improve lives by teaching appropriate and marketable skills. This, he emphasized, enables youths become self reliant and economically productive.

He added that NOIC's training programmes - place emphasis on 70 percent practicals and 30 percent theory.

Its courses comprise: Agricultural and Animal Husbandry, Auto Mechanics, Computer Studies, Computer Hardware Maintenance, Electrical Installation, Electronics and Fashion Design.
Others are: Hotel and Catering, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Secretarial Studies, Welding and Metal Fabrication, Woodwork and Carpentry as well as Marine Engineering and Navigation.

NOIC is an affiliate of the Opportunities Industrialization Centres International (OICI) - based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It's registered as a community based, nonprofit, voluntary development organisation.

God bless our chairman