THE Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has inaugurated the Masroor International Technical College (MITC), Ilaro.
He described the initiative of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Worldwide to establish the college as a significant contribution to boosting skill acquisition and employment creation in Nigeria.
Governor Abiodun, speaking on Thursday in Ilaro through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Omobola Salako, at the inauguration of the college, highlighted the states interventions in the revival of technical and vocational centres across the state.
He cited the rehabilitation of technical colleges and provision of technical and vocational equipment in the colleges in Abeokuta, Ijebu Igbo and Ayetoro.
He also mentioned the provision of funds for apprenticeship schemes to encourage youths to take interest in vocational studies and provision of start-up funds for the setting up of small-scale businesses, facilitation of access to funds for technical and vocational training centres and support initiatives.
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The governor urged the youth, parents and operators of vocational training centres to utilise the opportunities.
The construction of the Masroor International Technical College was funded by the International Association of Ahmadi Architects and Engineers (IAAAE) globally with initial donations from the world head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Omar family from Kenya and IAAAE members in Nigeria.
The college offers courses in electrical and electronic installations, air conditioning and refrigerator repairs, building, tilling, blocks making, plumbing, computer maintenance and website designing. Qualified instructors have been recruited from within country and volunteer lectures from outside the country will be visiting the college as scheduled.
In his keynote address, Deputy Director, South South Zonal Office, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Dr John Onyebuchi, representing the NBTE Director General and the rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, pledged support for MITCs training programmes.
The Olu of Ilaro and chairman of the Ogun State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle represented by the Oniwoye of Iwoyeland, Oba Buhari Makinde, commended the contributions of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria to improving the educational standards and the local economy through the establishment of numerous educational facilities, including the technical college, in his domain.
The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Honourable Oludaisi Elemide and his deputy, Honourable Lateefat Ajayi, pledged to sponsor youths for technical anad vocational skills at MITC.
A highlight of the event was the cutting of the tape by Mrs Salako on behalf of Governor Abiodun to officially open the administrative block, classrooms and the workshop for the commencement of academic activities in the college.
The representatives of IAAAE, Europe, Akram Ahmedi, Umar Ahmad, Waleed Umar and the chairman of the Nigeria chapter of of IAAAE, Mufadhil Bankole, expressed happiness over the completion of the project.
Akram Ahmedi acknowledged the huge potential of technical manpower in Nigeria and Africa.
The Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Nigeria, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Alatoye, praised the efforts of everyone who contributed to the success of the construction of the MITC.
Alatoye described the project as a dream come true for the realisation of closing the skills acquisition gab in the educational and labour sector in Nigeria.
Graduates from the two years training programmes of MITC will receive the National Vocational Training Certificate and will be assisted with job placement and business contacts.
