Press Releases

Inauguration Of Technical Education Board, A Milestone In Youth Empowerment - Fashola

May 3, 2010 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Monday described the inauguration of the pioneer Board of Technical and Vocational Education as a momentous milestone towards the empowerment of young men and women and the eradication of poverty in the State

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony which took place at the Lagos House, Marina, Governor Fashola added that for almost three years now, the State Government has done a lot of work towards addressing the condition of the five Vocational and Technical Schools that exist in the State by law.

Governor Fashola explained that the first step was to rehabilitate the schools into functional, attractive and comfortable schools as well as a restoration of the equipments and library to acceptable level.

He said Government is now in the last stage of total rehabilitation and restoration of the Vocational and Technical Education, with the State also entering into strategic alliance between the Lagos Technical and Vocational Schools and similar Vocational Schools who impart technical education not only in the United Kingdom but other parts of the world for the benefit of the youth.

In his words: “As I have said, we are in strategic technical alliance with foreign institutions that could partner with us in the process of examination, certification, career development and recognition”.

The Governor said by law, the new board will be a part time board just as the members would serve on a part time basis, adding that by law, the Executive Secretary, Engineer Olawunmi Gasper would serve as the chief executive of the school.

Governor Fashola who also said with the new board, a rebirth of the protection of jobs within the economy has started which would ensure that within the shortest possible time, all the West African brothers and sisters would not be needed anymore for jobs like fixing of faulty vehicles, laying of blocks and painting of houses as it was in the past.

He revealed that the appetite of the local market for the graduates of the Technical and Vocational Schools is very huge with a number of the major contractors already taking ownership of each of the school and providing support and sponsorship with a view to having the first pick of the graduates to be produced at the schools.

“This is simply story of zero to everything because at the time the students graduate, there are jobs already waiting for them”, Governor Fashola explained.

In his words; “It is a school that I would expect that there would be no compromise on standards, just as there would be no compromise on academic excellence and academic performance. The people you are training would be professionals who would be dealing with people’s lives. There must be no room for mistakes or compromises”.

The Governor also reminded the appointees to note the importance of the statutory Oath of Secrecy because whatever is said in the process of debates and discussions before the formation of policies must not be disclosed to persons who are not entitled to know.

“This is the only way that you will get the guarantee of sincere and robust contributions at meetings and discussions. The memorandum that you exchange must not be disclosed without authorization to anyone”, he warned.

He reiterated that Government was very meticulous to consider excellence and professional relevance in the background, training and career of each of the members of the new board.

While responding the chairman of the new board, Mrs Adeyinka Taiwo Oyemade promised that the newly sworn in members would ensure that the confidence reposed in them by the Governor is not shaken.

The newly sworn in appointees are Mrs Taiwo Oyemade, a retired Tutor General/Permanent Secretary as the Chairman, Engineer Olawunmi Gasper, a former Rector of the Lagos Polytechnic as the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive, Mrs Atinuke Olaperi Thomas, Engineer Adesola Ambali, Engineer Austeen Oduloye and Engineer Olatunde Adekoya as members.