No fewer than 153 students on Wednesday graduated from the Kola Daisi Entrepreneurship Centre, Oke Aremo, Ibadan, after completing various vocational and entrepreneurship training programmes organised by the centre.
The graduates were trained in different skills including leather works, computer studies, fashion designing, catering services, hairdressing, tie and dye, among other vocational trades aimed at promoting self-reliance and reducing unemployment.
The Kola Daisi Entrepreneurship Centre is one of the initiatives of the current executive of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), led by Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, to equip young people with marketable skills, professional certification and entrepreneurial support.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Ajewole urged the graduands to make good use of the skills acquired during the training programme.
He said entrepreneurship remained one of the most effective ways to tackle unemployment and poverty in society, stressing that beneficiaries must become employers of labour instead of depending solely on white-collar jobs.
“The essence of this initiative is to empower our youths with practical skills that can sustain them economically. What you have learned here should not end at the classroom level. You must put the knowledge into practice and become successful entrepreneurs,” he said.
The CCII President-General appreciated Chief Kola Daisi, the Basorun of Ibadanland, for his financial support in the establishment of the centre.
He added that the council would continue to support programmes capable of improving the socio-economic development of Ibadanland and empowering the younger generation.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Committee in charge of the Kola Daisi Entrepreneurship Centre, Dr. Kolawole Mojeed Lawal, described the graduation ceremony as another milestone in the effort to build a productive and self-reliant youth population.
Lawal said the training programmes were carefully designed to meet modern vocational and entrepreneurial demands, adding that the centre remained committed to producing skilled individuals capable of competing favourably in different sectors.
He said: “We are proud of what these graduands have achieved. Beyond acquiring vocational skills, they have also been trained in discipline, commitment and the basics of entrepreneurship needed to run successful businesses.”
The Vice Chancellor of Kola Daisi University (KDU), Prof. Adeniyi Olatubosun (SAN), represented by Dr. Oladipupo Mumini, said the institution was committed to supporting initiatives that promote technical and vocational education.
Mumini disclosed that the university would issue certificates to all graduands as part of efforts to give formal recognition to the skills acquired during the training.
“The university is proud to partner with the CCII on this laudable initiative. The certificates to be issued will further enhance the credibility of the graduands and improve their opportunities in the labour market,” he said.
In his remarks, the Oyo State Coordinator of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mr. Paul Oke, commended the organisers for complementing government efforts in addressing unemployment through vocational education and entrepreneurship development.
Oke encouraged the graduands to remain focused and innovative, saying the skills they acquired could help them become financially independent and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of CCII, Dr. L.A. Balogun, also praised the management of the vocational centre for sustaining the initiative, noting that empowering youths with practical skills remained critical to economic growth and social stability.
