Dr Omisore, the Executive Secretary of the Millennium Village Vocational Centre (MVVC) Lagos said it will continue to empowers youths whose background are not rich enough to provide them education as well as graduates in search of world class vocational expertise.
The vocational institute is designed to empower youths and be self sustaining hence the program since 2001 have helped youths to achieve in different capacities as they are better positioned to contribute to the development of the nation so as to stay away from acts of violence and altogether become civilized advocates for peace and unity.
Speaking during the MVVC 20th Anniversary which featured a conference, launch of the new logo, graduation and awards; the Founder, HRM Oba Tijani Adetunji Akinloye, OON who has been the pillar behind the training programme since 2001 said he was spurred to invest hugely in the vision that endeared the centre due to the peculiar nature of Eti-Osa, create an educational cum empowerment environment for children who were not educationally sound aside financially buoyant but for the youth and people of Eti-Osa to be self reliant and further their studies when funds are available.
Akinloye disclosed that several graduates had passed through the centre, adding that the empowerment programme had given him joy and he was happy to see another set graduate this year. He said “It is a pleasure graduating students again and also celebrating 20 years of greatness in impacting lives thereby given them the needed skill and support to become what destiny plans for them. He added, in this present set, we are graduating several students; among the graduating students are those who have spent either a 12 months or 18 months for their courses. HRM Oba Akinloye wished all the graduates the best of luck but he advised that some have gone through this road in the past and have either achieved for themselves, by become employees of labor, while others are working on their own as Vocational Entrepreneurs.”
He added however that while giving the needed support and encouragement, the students could compete favourably with their counterparts in all spheres as graduates of the vocational institute and excel in their chosen endeavours.
On her part, SSA to the President on SDG, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said we need all hands on deck to better our lots as a people, she said if there are more of institutions like MVVC, the issue of unemployment will be a thing of the past. Hence, we must be employers of labour not waiting for the government to come and employ when there not enough to go round. She said there is a limit to what government can do in terms of employment, she canvassed that people, especially youths, should learn a trade so as to reduce joblessness in the country.
She emphasised that the Centre was established as an avenue for empowerment, education, entrepreneurial hub as well as a peace & conflict centre which properly aligns with the SDGs.
Mrs Adefulire declared that “I would like to appreciate the centre for upskilling and empowering thousands of Nigerians by offering them world-class vocational training for next to nothing: quality skills acquired to raise nation-builders for peace and sustainable development of Nigeria.
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She reiterated that with skills development and trade know how, we get more people as employers of labour rather than waiting and sitting that there is no job because an idle hand is the devil’s workshop and we don’t want people to be idle. She said the federal government is trying to move more investors into the country for strategic turn around. She also mentioned that there is a need for more people to support the effort of the Lagos state government.
Adefulire stressed, evidently, the theme of the 20th Anniversary of the Millennium Village Vocational Centre “An Empowered generation”, references a dynamic approach to the attainment of the SDGs.
Therefore, the 2030 Agenda pays considerable attention to technical and vocational skills development, specifically regarding access to affordable quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); the acquisition of technical and vocational skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. More so, the elimination of gender disparity and ensuring access for the vulnerable, she said.”
In his contribution, Fmr. Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, George Oguntade explained that the MVVC has strived to provide training to young people, thereby supplementing government efforts.
He said, “you will agree with me that there is no better time than now that the support for and supplement of all efforts of the government are germane. Since its existence, the centre being a not-for-profit organization, has strived to provide training to young people and those young at heart in vocational areas like textiles and paint manufacturing, ICT, general agriculture, carpentry and furniture thereby assisting the less privileged and also augmenting the efforts of government at all levels.”
Oguntade however, commend the founder and chairman of MVVC as well as the patrons, Matrons, management staff, members and volunteers of the foundation who have held forth for the past 20 years further admonish that they continue to exert all efforts in taking the foundation to greater heights.
He also enjoined the public to continue to support the foundation in their own little way and within their capacity to see that the objects of the foundation are further promoted and propagated.
The new logo was unveiled by Prof Aba Sagoe, a former secretary to Lagos State Government, HRM Oba Adbulazeez Ashiwaju the Onikotun and the Baba Adini of Eti-Osa, Alhaji (Chief) Olawale Bakare did the presentation of the logo in a portrait.
Dr Omisore called out the names of the graduants in their usual procession and throwing of caps. While one of the Graduants gave a short yet interesting appreciation speech on behalf of her colleagues.
At the award presentation, 20 awards were given in a 20 awards for 20 years format. The climax of the award was the presentation to awards to ex-graduates and the Best Tutor in 20 years given to Mrs Olufimilayo Okodugha, lead instructor for Catering and Hotel Mgt and Mr David Withcliff, lead instructor in Fashion and Garment Technology as Best Tutor, male. The summit was when the founder and paramount ruler of Ajiranland, HRM Oba Tijani Akinloye OON was awarded the award of Excellence as a Nationalist, Icon of Education and Vocational Advocacy. Though, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire was earlier presented with her award of Excellence as a Nationalist and Icon of Vocational Advocacy.
The programme came to an end with the opening of the exhibition by the Onikotun of Ikotun land, HRM Oba Abdulazeen Ashiwaju with the founder and other dignitaries.
