Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Adeola Akande, and a don, Dr. (Mrs.) Olufunmi Adegbile, have stressed the need for Nigerian youths to embrace vocational training and acquire skills to be independent.
Akande, who was represented by Dr. Idowu Johnson of University of Ibadan and Dr. Adegbile, who is the Rector/ Chief Executive Officer of Royal Spices Academy, made the call during the graduation ceremony of the hospitality school held in Ibadan.
Akande, who maintained that entrepreneurial development is pivotal, urged other youths to emulate the graduates by acquiring vocational skills.
On her part, Adegbile said the youths needed vocational skills, irrespective of whatever they studied at the tertiary level of education.
She also said that Nigeria needs vocational skills to advance the economy, noting that youths also need vocational skills as a means of extra streams of income.
The CEO said:” What the youths need is skills. They need the vocational skills to earn extra-income. Your skills is there for you to make more income”.
She pointed out that there are a lot of opportunities in the hotel and catering business which the youths could key into for their financial independence.
Adegbile further said the purpose of setting up the school has been fulfilled to some extent.
“Setting up the school is to impart what we have learnt and done in the field in the last 30 years in some upcoming young ones,” she said.
The Rector, who stressed that the progress of graduates of the school has been very encouraging, said there is nobody that has passed through Royal Spices Academy who is not employed.
“Our employment rate is 98- 100%. There is job opportunity in this field. Hotels, restaurants, even individuals call us on a weekly basis for chefs,” she added.
