EACOED School Of Secondary Education (Vocational & Technical Programmes) Organizes Sixth National Conference And Exhibition

…Adefabi calls for adoption of vocational and technical education in solving national problems

Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo School of Education (Vocational and Technical Programmes) has rounded off its 6th national conference and exhibition (virtual and physical) with participants, all agreeing that the place of Vocational and Technical Education in proffering solutions to national security and socio-economic problems could not be over-emphasized. The conference with a theme- “VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION: A PANACEA FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AND SOCIAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT” was held between Sunday, 6th to Thursday, 10th March, 2022.

ProvostEmmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, Dr. Rasak Adetunji Adefabi, JP delivering his address

According to a release by ‘Wale Adeoye, Special Assistant on Media Matters to the Provost, the Provost, Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, Dr. Rasak Adetunji Adefabi, JP while declaring the conference open reiterated the need to integrate and place more values on vocational and technical education. According to him, “the theme of this conference, Vocational and Technical Education: A panacea for National Security and Socio-Economic Development is indeed apt, timely, relevant and appropriate given the state of the nation. The place of Vocational Education in addressing problems of unemployment, insecurities, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, inadequate power supply, corruption etc cannot be over-emphasized. Vocational technical education prepares and equips students with skills that increase their chances of employment opportunity. It also equips them with knowledge and skills they need to create their own employment. It is concerned with achievement of Socio-economic, Industrial and Technological objectives which will eventually translate into improved standard of living for the citizenry.” Speaking further, the renowned technocrat states, “Vocational and Technical Education is the most viable and reliable instrument for positive change and Socio-economic emancipation of individual and the nation as a whole in the constantly changing world. It is therefore pertinent that we train to synergize what is being taught in classrooms with happenings in town as ways of proffering needed solutions to our developmental challenges as a nation”.

EACOED College Management in a group photograph with eminent scholars and organizers of the conference

“While technical and vocational education has continued to thrive in many societies, Nigeria has neglected this aspect of education. Consequently, the society lacks skilled technicians: bricklayers, carpenters, painters and auto mechanics; laboratory and pharmacy technicians, electrical/electronic technicians and skilled vocational nurses, etc. The neglect has been socially and economically injurious because it has been robbing the nation the contributions our graduates would have made on national development. For that, Nigeria today is wearing the robe of a poor state. It is currently pre-occupied with a form of education that reduces economic opportunities of those who are more oriented toward work than academic. Not everyone needs a university education at all, the sorry state of the nation’s tertiary institutions is that many of the graduates lack “employability” skills, which would easily be acquired from technical and vocational colleges”. “As a College, Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo which remains in the front burner in academic excellence, and not want to be left out therefore opened the Directorate of Skills Acquisition and Vocational Training fully equipped for the training of not only our students but members of the College community towards making them independent, useful and stemming the tide of criminality in the society. The Centre aims at training applicants on various fields like hairdressing, barbing, manicure and pedicure, events management & decoration, bricklayers, carpenters, painters and auto mechanics; electrical/electronic technicians etc. Among other things done by the College was the legendary support given through the School of Secondary Education (Vocational and Technical Education) to the Oyo State Amotekun Corps during their training in November, 2020. It is instructive to place on record that members of staff of the school actively offered the needed trainings to members of the Corp during their 3-week training in the College”, stated the Iseyin-born Economist.

members of the high table listening as the Dean, School of Education, Vocational & Technical Programmes speaks

In her welcome address, the Dean, School of Education (Vocational and Technical Programmes), Mrs. Adefunke Taiwo Adebimpe lauded the Rasak Adefabi-led-Management for the approval given to host the national conference and exhibition. According to her, speaking on the conference, “the goals of Education in Nigeria are to build: a free and democratic society, a just and egalitarian society, a united, strong and self-reliant nation, a great and dynamic economy and a land full of opportunities for all citizens. These will be addressed during the Conference tagged “Vocational and Technical Education; A Panacea for National Security and Socio-economic Development”. I therefore welcome you to Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria. This year’s conference shall wear another look in that merit awards shall be conferred on recipients who merit it in recognition of their outstanding performances and contributions to academic growth and development, Secondary Education (Vocational and Technical Programmes) history in particular. Why? Because winning an award is always a special moment.

DeanSchool of Education (Vocational & Technical Programmes) & HostMrsAdefunke Taiwo Adebimpe delivering her welcome address

The conference and exhibition programme which was Chaired by Engr. Yahya Saheed Kayode, CEO, White Crest Nigeria Ltd., Ogun State and Dr. (Mrs.) Temitayo Abosede Akinyele of the Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta had High Chief Alhaji Yusuf Kasali Oladipo, ACG Rtd., Nigeria Correctional Services as the Keynote Presenter while Prof. Anthony Oyetunde Oyenuga from the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode and Prof. (Mrs.) Margaret Oluwagbemisola Areo of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso presented the lead papers.

Cross section of participants at the conference

Harvest of donations was recorded at the event while the Chairperson, Local Planning Committee, Dr. Idayat Oyebola Mustapha appreciated eminent scholars particularly, the Provost and College Management Members for the huge success recorded during and after the programme.

a cross section of SACOED Alumni 1987 Set at the conference to support the Chairperson, Dr. (Mrs.) Temitayo Abosede Akinyele of the Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta, who is a member of the set

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