Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State says the Technical University (Tech-U), Ibadan, was established to change the nation’s employment landscape through graduation of successful innovators and entrepreneurs
The governor made the disclosure on Friday in Ibadan during the matriculation ceremony of the pioneer students of Tech-U.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Tech-U matriculated 190 pioneer students.
NAN also reports that three students from each of the 33 local governments in the state were awarded scholarships.
“You must always aim to be the best in the world. If we sons and daughters of tailors and barbers can become what we are today, then you can also make it.
“I have no doubt that you all will succeed. I want you to go out there and change the employment landscape,” he said.
Ajimobi stated that his administration had at inception pledged commitment to human capital development which could be accelerated through expansion of network and access to educational facilities.
He said that the concept of the university was not to produce just graduates, but produce successful innovators and entrepreneurs with required skills.
“Engraved in that concept is our desire to produce technical professional who in addition to a strong theoretical base are equipped with vocational skills.
“They are to create jobs and not become additions to the nation’s overpopulated market of unemployed youths.
“The truth is some of our unemployed youths are not just unemployed, but unemployable. We have appointed the best hands to ensure quality,” he said.
The governor stated that the establishment of the varsity was an alternative to avert impending possible catastrophe by an army of intellectually sound minds that are not gainfully employed.
Earlier, Prof. Ayobami Salami, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, said that the university was conceived and birthed by the governor to fill a yearning vacuum inspite of thousands of graduates turned out annually.
“But, as the number of universities and graduates produced increases, so is the gap between the suitability of graduates and the requirements of the potential employers.
“This schism has been attributed to lack of entrepreneurial orientation and employability focus of the academic programmes on one hand and the rigidity of academic managers in responding to the needs of the employers in particular and the larger society,” he said.
Salami said that Tech-U strives to provide educational training that balances theoretical knowledge requirements with practical hands-on experiences and skills in different disciplines and vocations of student’s interest. (NAN)
