Date: 2018-05-02

Twenty-five indigenes of Kwara State are undergoing training in solar light installation and entrepreneurship at the International Vocational Technical and Entrepreneurship College (IVTEC) in Ajase-Ipo, Kwara State.

The Acting Rector of the college, Dr Ade Somide, who disclosed this while declaring the training open in Ajase-Ipo in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, said the training was in partnership with Riccortezza-Asteven Energy Ltd.

The energy company is handling the "Light-up Kwara" project in collaboration with the state government.

He commended the company for being socially and environmentally responsible. "The company has put in place start-up business package for the participants worth one million naira each at the end of the exercise.

"All necessary apparatus have been provided by the IVTEC and the energy company for the students.

"The selected participants will be trained for two weeks in Kwara, before moving them to Ogun State for one week training by the energy company," Somide said.

He expressed gratitude to the state government for partnering the energy company, describing the gestures as a way forward to minimising youth restiveness in the state.

Riccortezza-Asteven Energy Limited Managing Director, Dr Dickson Aleroh, described the training as a way of giving back to the society.

He urged the participants to take full advantage of the training, adding that the programme was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.

The registrar of the college, Mr Sunday Ade-Bello, revealed that the training would be on solar photovoltaic, installation, troubleshooting, maintenance and other entrepreneurship courses.

One of the trainees, Rachael Atolagbe, commended the sponsors for remembering the indigenes of the state to help to alleviate poverty and create jobs for the youths.

Another beneficiary, Ajibola Oluwaseun, said the training came at the right time to enable them be self employed in view of the high rate of unemployment and the economic situation in the country.