Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday charged the fresh 4,592 graduands of the state skills acquisition centres to utilize the knowledge acquired to lift themselves out of poverty.
Sanwo-Olu stated this during the graduation ceremony of the graduands who have been trained in vocations such as tailoring, bead making, catering, shoe making, carpentry among others.
The ceremony took place at the Blue Roof, Alausa, Ikeja where the graduands had the opportunity to celebrate with the Governor.
While addressing the graduates, Governor Sanwo-Olu enjoined them to be good ambassadors of their homes by showcasing the knowledge acquired to better their lives.
Sanwo-Olu said, “The laudable knowledge is to ensure that purposeful governance is enhanced. It is to create jobs and make life meaningful to our citizens.
“Today, we are seeing that the average age of graduates is 24 years. We want it at a young age for the government to support you, for you to have the skills that can uplift you because the white collar jobs are not there every day.
“The essence is, what are you doing with your senses that can sustain you? We are supporting that today with over 4,000 of you by learning a profession and skill that you can be proud of. In any of the skills you have acquired, you can raise your standard of living.”
The Governor asked the graduating students to use the opportunity of gaining knowledge to transform their lives.
He said, “Use the opportunity given to you to empower yourselves. Let the training count from the little drops to form a mighty ocean.”
He added the graduates should not be discouraged by mistakes, saying “Don’t ever get scared of your first attempt, don’t get discouraged and then throw in the towel. Learn from your mistakes, there is no short cut to success but you must believe in yourselves.”
In her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Bolaji Cecilia Dada expressed joy over the successful ceremony, saying the Governor had been quite supportive in the last four years.
She also enjoined the graduates to be proud of the training received. “We understand the potentials our youth possess, it is our responsibility to unleash the potentials.”
She noted that by equipping the students with the right skills, their knowledge is enhanced to boost productivity and be self-reliant.
She also enjoined them to leverage on technology to market their products.
Some of the old students of the 19 skills acquisition centres who spoke during the ceremony expressed satisfaction over the initiative of the state government.
An ex-graduate from Isheri centre, Borokini Modupeola said she graduated in 2019 and went ahead to become an employer of labour.
“It was a breaking point for me. You have to build on what you have learnt. I learnt carpentry and today I’m a female carpenter.”
Sufyan Rilwan Ishola disclosed that having graduated from University of Ilorin, he couldn’t secure a job but eventually got admitted to Isheri skill acquisition centre.
Ishola learnt shoe making and today there are apprentices under him. He encouraged the graduates to be devoted and ensure that they excel.
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