Alimosho Local Government in Lagos State, under the leadership of Honourable Jelili Adewale Sulaimon on Monday, 31 July, 2024, made history by becoming the first local government in the state to do train, graduate and empower primary schools pupils vocational skills’ acquisition.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at the council secretariat, Sulaimon said the programme is a means of fighting unemployment and creating opportunities for the beneficiaries to earn a living.
According to him, it is no longer news that there is scarcity of white collar jobs in the country, hence his government took it upon itself to sponsor the pupils.
The Council Chairman added that, ”today’s education has gone beyond reading and writing, any knowledge you have should be converted into financial gain. This is done through increasing the entrepreneur mentality of the people, young pupils inclusive.”
Sulaimon, said that aside sponsoring the graduates in various skills acquisitions, like hairdressing, make-up, shoe making, baking, computer applications, barbing, fashion designing among others, his administration gave the graduates tools and little cash finance practice what they have learnt after graduation.
“The idea is for them to start something on their own and start making money. They can even start employing their own staff,” he said.
He charged the lucky ones not to take the opportunity with levity so as not to discourage his administration in continuing with the laudable initiative.
Sulaimon, who told the graduating pupils that there is large army of unemployed youths in the Nigeria, appealed to them not to sell their tools as they are meant to expand their businesses.
Speakers after speakers, who spoke at the epoch making ceremony, showered praises on Chairman of the Council, Sulaimon for introducing the laudable programme for the pupils in the council area.
Alimosho Local Government Education Education Secretary, Honourable Airat Alamu said she was highly impressed with what the council boss has done, adding that this is the first of its kind she has witnessed in the council area and indeed the whole of Lagos State.
“This is the first of its kind in Lagos State. We have to express our appreciation to the Chairman for given our children these wonderful opportunities that will be for the betterment of their future. It is great opportunities to them. A big thank you to our Chairman for your wonderful programme,” Alamu said, adding that the gesture will relieve their parents the financial burden of taking care of them.
In his own speech at the ceremony, President, Conference of Heads of Education and Library Service Departments in the unified Lagos State Local Government Service, Salam Adeyemi, said that he was surprised that despite serving his second term in office, Sulaimon has continue to do laudable things for the betterment of the people in his council area.
He added that the laudable programme under the leadership of Sulaimon will give financial freedom, financial self sustaining and financial success for the graduating pupils.
A parent to one of the pupils, Pastor Olatunde Ogunmodede, speaking in an exclusive interview with thegazellenews.com, commended Sulaimon for the good gesture, saying he has done very well as a Chairman.
“I gave him 100 per cent for this programme because there has never been any such programme in the history of Alimosho Local Government. I am happy for the pupils too because it will be of great help not only to them, but to their parents too,” the clergyman said.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with thegazellenews.com in his office, Sulaimon said he initiated the programme at the primary school level because he believed in the principle and style of catching them young, “we want to initiate of inculcating self-belief and self-reliance in the pupils very early in life”.
According to him, China, Japan, the two most prominent countries in Asia, have imbibed the culture of catching them when it comes to skills acquisitions.
“That is why the two countries are where they are today. I want to begin this at this local government for our children. They are our future; this is a solid foundation for the future of this local government and the entire country. They are going to bring glory in terms of entrepreneurial skills not only to this local government but to the entire country. I want to be remembered as a person who laid this solid foundation,” the council boss said.
