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Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, today, expressed the readiness of his administration to partner with the National Industrial Skills Development Programme in order to reduce the level of unemployment among the youth in the State.
This is because he observed that the unemployment rate is assuming a national security dimension which demands very urgent attention from all levels of government.
Governor Adeleke stated this at the closing ceremony of the 2022 National Industrial Skills Development Programme held at Osogbo Grammar School where he was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye.
Governor Adeleke stated that governments at all levels must act with all urgency to implement programmes and policies to stem the tide of unemployment in the country. While warning that policy documents must not be left to gather dust, he added that sustained implementation, at an expanded level, is required to create opportunities for job engagement for millions of unemployed youth.
“The unemployment rate is assuming a national security dimension which demands the very urgent attention of all levels of government. A walk across streets in Nigeria will confirm the time bomb inherent in millions of young hands having no gainful employment. The chain reaction is the deteriorating security situation, the breakdown in family bonds and the expanding law and order challenges. There is indeed a correlation between joblessness and high crime rate”, the State helmsman enunciated.
The Governor observed: “By emphasizing entrepreneurship and apprenticeship, the programme has mapped out a sustainable way out of national joblessness. As the nation faces an economic crunch, job creation can best be realized through skills acquisition.”
He then tasked the beneficiaries of the programme to deploy their experiences within the local economy, adding that skills acquired in the course of the training should transform them into ambassadors for entrepreneurship and apprenticeship.
Director-General/ Chief Executive of the Industrial Training Fund Sir, Joseph N. Ari represented by Mrs Folake Solanke appreciated Osun State Government, describing Governor Adeleke as instrumental to the success of the Industrial Training Fund, as recorded in implementing its various skills acquisition programmes in the State.
He stressed further that Osun State Government has contributed immensely to their training programmes, as it is ever ready to partner with ITF.
Opeyemi BELLO
Press Officer, Office of the SSG
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