Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara has advised the 192 newly graduated students of the International Vocational, Technical and Entrepreneurship College (IVTEC), Ajase-Ipo, to be jobs creators instead of job seekers.
Ahmed gave the advice on Thursday at the first graduation ceremony of the college in Ajase-Ipo, Irepodun Local Government area.
He said that the college was producing graduands of the 21th century, as today’s world was driven by technology.
“I expect that the skills you have acquired here will position you as the future leaders of Nigeria.
“This is because the courses have been carefully designed to meet the demands of this technological era,” Ahmed said.
The governor advised them to always identify gaps in the economy, saying that in filling the gaps, they could make their money.
“You should not think about money, but think of filling the gapps, it is then that you can make your money; that is why you all came to this college to learn and acquire skills.
“It is not the books that you read that will make you successful, but how you apply the books and knowledge acquired,” he added.
Ahmed further urged them to be agents of change in order to change Kwara and Nigeria, noting that the skills of the artisans could be exported to other African countries.
According to him, the best way to invest in people is to invest in skills acquisition.
He said that it was better to invest in people that will use their skills to drive the economy than expecting government to dole out money to people.
In his remarks, Prof. Abiodun Adimula, the Chairman, Governing Council of the College, while congratulating the graduands, urged them to always showcase their expertise to the outside world.
“We want to see you as experts in your chosen fields creating jobs for others,” Adimula said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the artisans underwent skills acquisition in Automotive Mechanics, Masonry, Furniture and Cabinetmaking, CCTV and Web Application.
They were also trained in System Security and Networking, Computer Engineering, Electrical Installation and Maintenance, Catering and Culinary Services, Automotive Mechanic and Automotive Mechantronics.
Other courses were Basic Skills in Welding and Fabrication, Building Construction, CCTV and Internet Access Installation, Electrical and Carpentry.
