Ogun Governor Applauds Ahmadiyya Technical College Initiative
By Qasìm Akinreti, Lagos
The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has applauded the initiative of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community globally for the establishment of Masroor International Technical College in Ilaro, Ogun State as a significant contribution to bridging the skill acquisition gab and boosting opportunities for employment creation in Nigeria.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Masroor International Technical College (MITC), through the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education Science and Technology, Mrs Omobola Salako, the governor used the event to highlight the state interventions in the revival of technical and vocational centers across the state.
This, among others, was the rehabilitation and provisions of technical and vocational equipment in technical colleges at Abeokuta, Ijebu Igbo, and Ayetoro. Other interventions include the introduction of funds for apprenticeship schemes to encourage youths’ interests in vocational studies and start-up funds setting up of small-scale businesses, access to funds for technical and vocational training centres, and support initiatives.
The governor urged the youths, parents, and vocational training centres to access these opportunities effectively.
The construction of MITC, was funded by the International Association of Ahmadi Architects and Engineers (IAAAE) globally with in̈itial donations from the world head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, the Omar family from Kenya and others IAAAE members in Nigeria.
The Masroor International Technical College, Ilaro offers courses in electrical and electronic installations, Air Conditioning and Refrigerator repairs as well as installations, building,tilling, blocks making, plumbing and computer maintenance as well website designing.
Qualified instructors have been recruited within the country, and volunteers’ lectures from outside the country would be visiting the college as appropriate.
In his keynote address, Dr John Onyebuchi, from the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, Southwest, representing the Director General and the Rector Federal Polytechnic Ilaro pledged support and collaboration with MITC training programmes.
Paramount ruler of Ilaro and Chairman Ogun state traditional rulers,Oba Adegbenle represented by Oba Buhari Makinde of Iwoyeland appreciated the immense contribution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Nigeria foŕ the establishment of numerous educational facilities including the Technical College in his domain towards improving the educational standards and local economy.
The Speaker an̈d his Deputy Ogun state house of Assembly pledged to sponsor youths for Technical an̈d vocational skills at MITC.
The highlight of the event was the cutting of rippon̈s foŕ the administrative block, classrooms and workshop of MITC for official teaching and learning for new students as well as commencement of academic calendar of the school by The Permanent secretary Ministry of Education Science and Technology, representative of Governor Dapo Abiodun
Representative of IAAAE from Europe, Architect Akram Ahmedi,Umar Ahmad, Waleed Umar, and Chairman Nigeria Chapter Engineer Mufàdhil Ɓankole expressed happiness over the completion of the project.
Architect Akram Ahmedi acknowledged the huge potential of technical manpower needs in Nigeria àn̈d Africa.
The Amir Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat of Nigeria, Alhaji Folorunso Azeez Alatoye praised the efforts of everyone who contributes towards the success of the construction of MITC an̈d described the project as “a dream come through for the realisation of closing the skills acquisition gab in the educational and labour sector in Nigeria “.
Graduates of the two years training programmes in MITC would receive National Vocational Training Certificate and would be assisted with job placement and business contacts.
