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De’rayo Vocational Limited has marked the 2024 World Youth Skills Day in Ibadan, Oyo State capital with a massive empowerment activity for the youths.
Held at the Amphitheatre, Racecourse, Adamasingba, Ibadan, the venue was a beehive of several vocational activities to mark the United Nations event dedicated to promoting youth skills development globally.
With a massive turnout of over 550 participants away from the anticipated 400,; despite the surge, there was enough activities foe every participant.
The diverse group included 58 trainers and 15 volunteers, with 105 participants receiving scholarships for further training.
The youth were educated in 28 different vocational skills, emphasizing both practical training and mentorship.
“We are not only training them; we are inspiring, mentoring, and linking them to trainers to become great leaders in the field of vocational skills,” said Aminat Aderayo Animasaun, CEO of De’rayo Vocational Limited.
The comprehensive list of skills provided ranged from accessory making and textile design to digital marketing and automobile diagnosis and repair.
Other skills included solar and inverter installation, cosmetology, financial literacy, and event management. This variety ensured that participants could choose fields aligned with their interests and the market’s needs.
Animasaun also announced that the scholarships would fund a six-month vocational training program for youths from various local governments in the state, followed by empowerment initiatives. She expressed gratitude for the support from the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development and the dedicated trainers, urging the youth to view vocational skills as a viable path to success.
Oluwapemi Adedewe Akintan, CEO of Adedewe and a volunteer trainer, highlighted the training’s focus on productivity and marketable products, as well as showcasing skills to the community. She encouraged beneficiaries to continually upgrade their skills and apply them for societal improvement.
Hon. Falana Adebayo, Chairman of the Oyo State Agency for Youth, representing Governor Seyi Makinde, praised the initiative for complementing the state government’s job creation efforts. “It is a laudable event seeing the youth of the state come together to learn skills organized by De’rayo. The passion in them boosts my morale, and from the government angle, we are ready to do more of this often so that we can impact more lives through one skill or another,” he stated.
He further advised the youth to prioritize acquiring vocational skills for financial stability in the current economic climate.
“My message to the youth is that after graduating from school, instead of seeking white-collar jobs, everyone must have one or two skills that will serve as a foundation for their financial strength. With the way the economy is going, they should not rely on white-collar jobs alone. I am imploring the youth out there to participate en masse in subsequent skill acquisition programs like this,” he concluded.
The event also featured distinguished guests, including Professor Olayinka O. Omigbodun FAS, Principal Investigator of ARISE&WIN and Provost at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, and Dr. Ayokunle Fatokun, Lead Consultant at Russell & Barnes Associates.
Other notable attendees included Mrs. Bolanle Emmanuel, State Coordinator of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) who was represented at the event and Hon. Abiodun Oluwaseun Laurel, SSA to Gov. Seyi Makinde on Project Delivery.
Awards were given to outstanding performers in various categories. In fashion design, Aremu Ifeoluwa, Ishola Omoshalewa Ajoke, and Oladejo Rashidat Yinka received industrial sewing machines. For textile design (Adire), Adebisi Oyebukola, Olaodu Oluwakemi, and Bamidele Adesina were awarded gas burners, drums, chemicals, fabrics, and dye. Photography and painting and signage winners received laptops, recognizing their exceptional skills and dedication.
With the conclusion of the 6th edition, De’rayo Vocational has successfully trained 9,370 youths so far. The event also saw representation from various schools and trade associations, further showcasing the community’s commitment to empowering youth through vocational training.
