Kogi Government has urged private sector and individuals to establish technical schools and donate equipment to enhance technical and vocational skills in the state.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya, made the appeal on Thursday when representatives of National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) visited her in Lokoja.
Osikoya said the state government wanted manufacturing companies such as mining and extractive industries to adopt technical college and donate the needed equipment to train students on the required skills.
The commissioner added that the society should partner with government to help talented individuals who had demonstrated strength and competence in some special skills, stressing that government could not do it alone.
She said “we are calling on every individual, groups and organisations to donate the necessary equipment, give scholarships to children who have the technological acumen to turn things around.
“Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi believes in youth empowerment; but this is not a government problem alone, there are companies out there which require special skilled personnel, which is part of the local content the government is clamouring for.”
The commissioner, however, urged Federal Government to assist the state in the area of sensitisation and awareness, correspondent legal framework and policies on vocational and technical education.
The Registrar of NABTEB, Prof. Ifeoma Isiugo-Abanihe, who was represented by Mrs Ruth Popoola, said the visit was to collaborate with Kogi Government on the issue of technical and vocational education in the state.
She said “NABTEB as an examination body, believes that technical and vocational education are the only way forward, where children from secondary schools are given life sustaining skills that will make them self-reliant.
“A workable skill that will create wealth and make the students to be self employed and employers of labour. We felt Kogi is central to Nigeria and that is why we are here.
“We appreciate the commissioner and her team for the warm reception and for agreeing to partner with us.”
Other stakeholders at the meeting included the Executive Chairman, State Science, Technical Education and Teaching Service Commission (STETSCOM); the Provost, Nigeria-Korea Friendship Vocational Institute (NKFI) among others.
