Report on the 2021 World Youth Skills Day Organise by Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State Nigeria in Partnership with Labtech International Indonesia.

In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared 15th of July as World Youth Skills Day, to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. Since then, World Youth Skills Day events have provided a unique opportunity for dialogue between young people, technical and vocational education, and training (TVET) institutions, firms, employers’ and workers’ organizations, policy makers and development partners. It was based on this declaration, the management of Nibiru Enterprise Nigeria Ltd (NENL an Energy and Environmental company) as parts of it cooperate social responsibility organised this Vocational Skills and Entrepreneurship Development Awareness Program in partnership with Ese Odo Local Government Area.

Ese Odo LGA Chairman Hon. Folawe Sipasi-Aluko with Participants

On the 15th of July 2021 the World Youth Skills Day was organised to educate youths from Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State on the relevance of Vocational Skills and Entrepreneurship Development. The program was an awareness campaign program to prepare Youths from Ese Odo Local Government Area for the future and global jobs through Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Entrepreneurship.

The program started with an opening prayer by Barrister Bamofin Ogbemerun Henry which was followed by the Honourable Chairman of Ese Odo Local Government Area Opening Speech. The Honourable Chairman thanked His Excellency the Governor of Ondo State Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu (SAN) for His commitments and strategic drive towards preparing Ondo State for sustainable economic development and livelihood through the State Government development master plan which will increase job opportunities for youths across Ondo State and Nigeria at large. Hon. Folawe Sipasi-Aluko admonished the youths to be law abiding and productive because they are the core drivers of development. She further emphasised on the need for youths to be equipped with Vocational and Entrepreneurial Skills to become self-reliant and independent economically so as to remain meaningful in the society. Also, the Secretary of Ese Odo Local Government Area, Barrister Ebigha Iwabi in His remark pointed out the importance of awareness program like this for youths from Ese Odo Local Government Area and the need to empower youths with Vocational Skills to combat security challenges, youths’ restiveness, cyber-crime and youths’ unemployment. He thanked the management of Nibiru Enterprise Nigeria Ltd and its partner Labtech International Academy Indonesia.

In same vein, the President of Nibiru Enterprise Nigeria Ltd (NENL), Mr. Oluranti Jasper Netufo share in this great believe of United Nations, knowing well that our youths are endowed with much energy, ideas and innovation to move to the desired future. He set the centre stage for youth’s development drive in the locality when, He emphasised on the need for every youth to be empowered with at least one Vocational Skill that can help sustain their financial needs and as well to take off youths from the street to decent jobs within and outside Nigeria. He highlighted that there is urgent need to expose our youths to Vocation or Trades that will enable youths from Nigeria and Ese Odo Local Government Area to compete for global jobs which He believed is achievable through sustainable partnerships with TVET Industries, International Organisations, Educational Institutions, Government, and Community Leaders. He further stated that Nibiru Enterprise Nigeria Ltd will select and sponsor 20 youths that have registered for the Labtech International Online TVET Academy during the program after the 14day trial period as part of His organization cooperate social responsibilities to the host community in partnership with the local government. We shall continue to do more through partnership with local authorities to ensure we bring the vision to the grass root and no youth will be left behind on this project in capacity developments that cut across different fields of entrepreneurship.

The Regional Vice President of the International Vocational Education and Training Association (IVETA) East and West Africa, Mr. Igberadja Serumu pointed out the importance of TVET for sustainable youths’ development in Nigeria, Africa and beyond. He further stated the readiness of IVETA (a non-profit organisation registered in the United States of America to promote TVET and improve its quantity globally) to collaborate with the different youths organisation in Ese Odo Local Government Area to equipped youths with Vocational and Entrepreneurial Skills for future jobs.

Urs Hauenstein postulated the need for Youths to be self-reliant through the acquisition of Vocational and Entrepreneurial skills to be gainfully employed beyond borders. He also, charged youths, governments, and stakeholders to look at the future to enable them to prepare for FUTURE JOBS. The President of ICEM Switzerland stated his commitment and readiness to collaborate with youth organisations, governments, and individuals to prepare youths from Ese Odo Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria, and Africa for sustainable and economic development through youth mentorship and vocational skills acquisition programs.

Mr Arnaurd Delvaux the Marketing Manager Europe and Latin America of Labtech International Indonesia presented Labtech International and the Labtech International TVET Academy where He presented over 50 Vocational trades such as Automotive, Biomedical, and Electrical. The Labtech International TVET Academy is an online training academy where students can learn Vocational Skills remotely provided the students have access to a laptop or mobile phone and Internet connection. Mr Arnaurd after presenting Labtech encouraged the youths present at the event to take advantage of the free registration for 14 days trial period to navigate through the various trade courses to help guide their decision to choose trades of interest. He further stated that Labtech International Indonesia is ready to help in equipping youths from Ese Odo Local Government Area and Nigeria with skills to enable them to compete for global jobs.

The President of the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC) Mr. Blessing Adebowale Akinlosotu in His remark highlighted the importance of acquisition of Vocational Skills by advising the youths to convert any monetary empowerment to Vocational Skills Training which we prepare them for life, and it will help them to be economically vibrant in the near future. Also, the SSA to the Governor of Ondo State on Youths and Students Affairs Hon. Ogunyemi Olumuyiwa Ojo in His remark thanked the organisers of the program and youths present and as well admonished the youths to key into Vocational Skills development programs for sustainable development and livelihood.

The Chief Operation Officer of Nibiru Enterprise Nigeria Ltd Engr Arosoji in His remark highlighted on the importance for our youths to be empowered with relevant Vocational Skills needed in the global job markets. He admonished youths from Ese Odo Local Government Area to take advantage of the Labtech International TVET Online Academy and register for the free trials. He further posited that the wellbeing of our future greatly depends on the acquired vocational skills of our youth today. That is from today we can define the look of our future. We therefore have the power to shape the future now for the benefit of all and Yes, we Can.

The over 50 participants at the venue of the program were happy to be part of the Vocational and Entrepreneurship Development Awareness Campaign Program and promised to key into the programs of Labtech International Indonesia. As well, the CEO of Builders Hub Academy Lagos, Professor Simon Yalams of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Myriam Bonnila and Gabriela from Edibon Spain, and staff of Ese Odo Local Government Council all made significant contributions in the event to encourage our youths to key into vocational and entrepreneurial skills for competing for jobs beyond borders. Engr Festus Aiwe of Nibiru Enterprise Nigeria Ltd rounded up the program with a closing remark and prayers. He thanked the participants and speakers for participating in the program and reiterates Nibiru Enterprise Nigeria Ltd commitment to support youths in Ese Odo Local Government Area for vocational training and entrepreneurship development.