The joy of the people of Ajase-Ipo community in the Kwara South senatorial district knew no bounds last Tuesday when the foundation of an International Vocational Centre sited in the town was laid by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

Anyone who is familiar with the history of the community will understand and appreciate the reason for the joy and happiness of the people following the foundation laying of the multi-million naira vocational centre in Ajase-Ipo. The only thriving plastic industry located in the town had folded up long time ago.

The monarch of the town, Oba Sikiru Atanda Woleola, who is the chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council in Igbomina land summed up the ceremony thus; "as we are gathered here today for the groundbreaking ceremony of the vocational center, the gesture is a confirmation that this government is one that listens to the yearnings of the people and one that keeps its promise."

Oba Woleola who spoke through a community leader, Mallam Rasak Alabi added, "without doubt, this vocational center, the foundation of which is being laid today is an addition to the growing list of people-oriented programmes this administration has embarked upon within such a very short time of its inception.

"Let me state at this juncture that our community is well aware of the spiral effects of this center on our community and its environs when it finally becomes fully operational. Undoubtedly, the center will impact positively on the commercial and social lives of the community. More jobs will be created, more accommodation will be required and of course, new settlements will spring up around this axis to accommodate the attendant rise in population."

The traditional ruler recalled that during his installation and presentation of staff of office, the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Bukola Saraki, had announced the government's decision to site the vocational center in his domain adding that, "the community's joy knew no bounds as a result of that announcement, and we have since being waiting eagerly for the day the government would make good its promise."

He added, "notwithstanding constant assurance from Hon. Demola Banu (the state Commissioner for Finance) on the sincerity of government, cynics had a field day telling those who cared to listen that it was just one of those political promises which government had no intention to fulfill. Our anxiety was growing by the day.

"However, our gathering here today has at last demonstrated once again that this administration, which is a continuation of the previous one, is one that keeps its promise once made. It is a clear case of continuity par excellence."

Performing the foundation laying ceremony of the center, Governor Ahmed disclosed that his administration has created jobs for 2, 000 youths, absorbed 1, 430 into the state civil service and brokered 10, 000 public works jobs through the federal government.

He said the training to be provided in the centre would make the youths marketable and employable within and outside the country, adding that the products of the centre would assist the government in addressing the current gap in the building industry for competent and trained artisans who are currently being sourced from the sub-region.

Governor Ahmed explained that his administration placed a premium on youth empowerment through job creation because of the recognition that youths constitute 70 per cent of the state population and "are significant agents of positive change if properly harnessed. Any serious effort to transform the lives of our people must therefore incorporate youth economic empowerment."

He stated that the education reform agenda embarked upon by his predecessor, Senator Bukola Saraki was still on course, pledging to continue to use education to add value to the lives of the youths and unemployed graduates in the state by turning them into job creators rather than job seekers.

He said this would be vigorously pursued through his government's numerous human capital development strategies.

The governor added, "I am therefore pleased to be part of history today as we take another firm step towards transforming our youths into successful economic actors with the foundation-laying of the international vocational centre.

"Today's ceremony testifies to my administration's strong resolve to create a new generation of highly-employable artisans and prosperous young entrepreneurs through the provision of market-relevant skills under our Shared Prosperity programme.

"At the end of the training period, successful students will be awarded globally-recognised certificates and diplomas moderated by the London-based City and Guilds. Towards this end, the curriculum for the centre has been structured to address the need to meet not onlyinternational standards but also industry and business needs.

"I assure you that once this center becomes operational, Kwara state will become the hub for vocational skills in the West African sub-region while creating massive jobs for youths, thereby reducing insecurity within our state and beyond."

In his remarks, the state's Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Alh. Saka Onimago said the center will provide the youths with the opportunity to acquire skills that would make them self reliant, independent and supportive in moving the state forward.

He added, "They will not only be employable but marketable anywhere in the world. Graduates of the International vocational center will be adequately equipped to compete with their counterparts in Korea, China and other developed countries of the world."

Onimago announced that graduates of higher institution who desire to acquire special skills will be given special consideration at the center, adding that "the event was not just a foundation laying for the vocation center alone, but also for a better and improved Kwara.

"The world as a global village is electronically driven. Our mechanics, artisans and technicians have to adopt more techniques and training if they want to remain relevant within this dynamic world. This is what the International Vocational Center is all about.

It's a good dream by Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed, a dream that must come true within the shared prosperity of this administration."