The Ogbomoso First Community Initiative on Wednesday officially handed over its Skills Acquisition Centre to the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede (FEDPA), Ogbomoso, in a move aimed at strengthening technical and vocational training for students and residents of the host community.
The handover ceremony, held at the Sir Ademola Dare-Williams Hall, O’First Group Centre, Oke Osuuru, Ogbomoso, also featured the signing of a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the initiative and FEDPA’s Centre for Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, formalising the use of the facility for technical and vocational training.
Speaking at the event, the President of O’First Group, Arch. Sakiru Suara, emphasised the need for practical skills in today’s economy. He said, “Education without practical skills is no longer sufficient. I urge trainees to complement their academic qualifications with vocational skills to create multiple sources of income.” Suara also credited the polytechnic’s Rector, Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, for ensuring that graduates acquire at least one practical skill before leaving the institution.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Suara recounted how his father’s work as a bricklayer shaped his own career, stressing the importance of vocational skills in personal and community development.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ogbomoso First Community Initiative, Otunba Bayo Babatunde, highlighted the group’s commitment to local development since its founding in 2009, citing initiatives such as distributing thousands of exercise books to students and empowering residents with vocational tools, including sewing machines and motorcycles.
Dr. Abdul-Hameed lauded the contributions of Ogbomoso indigenes, describing Suara as “a pillar of the polytechnic who facilitated its early take-off by providing the administrative building at the Iresa-Apa campus.” He further disclosed that the institution would soon benefit from another project facilitated by Prof. Jide Ajao, an indigene and council representative.
The Director of the Centre for Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, Mr. Christopher Owojori, represented by Mrs. Bulala Kafayat, said the programme targets mainly indigenes of Ogbomoso and environs under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training initiative.
She explained, “Each trainee will receive a monthly stipend, and the centre is funded to run the six-month programme successfully.”
A retired Commissioner of Police, Mr. Dejo Oyelowo, added that the two best-performing trainees would receive additional equipment to strengthen their entrepreneurial ventures.
Dignitaries at the ceremony included CP Dejo Oyelowo, Engr. Akinloye Oyekola, Chief Bayo Eegunbiyi, Prof. Jide Ajao, Deputy Rector (Academic) Dr. Azeez Olasunkanmi Ojo, Deputy Registrar Mr. Gafar Kolapo Olatinwo, the Polytechnic Librarian, Dr. Samuel Oke Ogunniyi, deans, directors, staff, and students.
