YABATECH Partners FG To Train Teachers & Instructors
Yaba College of Technology is set to partner with the Federal Government on the training of teachers and instructors that would be engaged at the established Government Skills Technical Centres, Vocational Education Institutions (VEIs) and Technical Colleges all over the country.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa made the disclosure at his visit to the seventy-seven years old institution’s Epe campus last Sunday for inspection with the officials of the Ministry of Education.
According to him, this is in line with the number two priority on education centred on Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) of the federal government six (6) -point agenda.
In his words, “the purpose of this visit was to raise further awareness of our 6-point agenda and encourage polytechnics and universities with agricultural departments to establish mechanized farms and engage in livestock farming”.
Given the country’s growing food insecurity, these initiatives will provide agriculture students with hands-on training and help them develop key skills needed for life after graduation and will also support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s goal to enhance food security and expand food production; the Minister stated.
Dr. Alausa said that the visit was to strategize how the Federal Ministry Of Education, Nigeria (FME) can collaborate with Yaba College of Technology as part of the Ministry’s TVET program, which will be launched in the second quarter of next year.
He elucidated that critical issue in the education sector is the shortage of teachers and the government is exploring a partnership with Yaba College of Technology to train teachers and instructors for the Skills Technical Centres (STCs), Vocational Enterprise Institutes (VEIs), and Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs).
Dr. Alausa, who was received by the Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Funso Afolabi, and the Rector, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, emphasized the vital role of education in achieving national economic growth and development.
He highlighted agriculture as a key sector that institutions must integrate into their academic and research frameworks to address food security, create jobs, and stimulate the economy.
In his remarks, Dr. Alausa stated, “Nigeria is blessed with vast arable land and natural resources. However, we need to harness the innovative capabilities of our tertiary institutions to revolutionize agriculture.
This sector, he admitted, has the potential to be the cornerstone of our economy, and the involvement of our colleges and universities is critical to achieving this goal.
The Minister commended the College for its strides in promoting vocational and technical education. He urged the institution to take the lead in developing innovative solutions that would empower students and researchers to make significant contributions to the agricultural sector.
The Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Afolabi, expressed appreciation for the Minister’s visit, describing it as timely and encouraging.
He assured the Minister of the institution’s commitment to supporting the federal government’s vision for a diversified economy through education.
Dr. Abdul, the Rector of YABATECH, also reaffirmed the institution’s dedication to aligning its academic programs with the national agenda.
He highlighted some of the ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting agricultural innovation, including partnerships with industry players and the establishment of a demonstration farm for practical learning.
