Ogun Special Adviser On Education Advocates For Vacational Education To Tackle Security Challenges

Skills acquisition through vocational  education has been identified as a major way of tackling the problem of unemployment for national development. and ensuring a safer and peaceful society

Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, stated this in Sagamu, during Ogun Peace Summit, with the theme, "Partnering for Safer and Resilience Communities In Ogun State, Nigeria", organised by Remo Growth and Development Forum (RGDF), in collaboration with Peace Initiative Network (PIN).

Mrs. Soyombo noted that provision of adequate security would be the foundation upon which lives, businesses and future thrive, describing it as a collective responsibility and fundamental right that people deserve.

She said the present administration in the state, in conjunction with Federal Government of Nigeria, has established vocational centres at Iperu and Ilisan Remo axis, to empower the youths in various skills acquisition towards preventing crime and criminality in the state.

The Special Adviser, who doubles as the Coordinator of Education and Youths Empowerment, RGDF, appreciated community leaders and security team for their efforts in keeping communities safe, saying the programme was to ensure and promote safety and peaceful co-existence among the citizens, especially youths in the state.

"We must work together to prevent crime and address its root cause, support vulnerable populations and provide resources for those in need, foster a culture of inclusivity, diversity and respect, invest in technology and infrastructure that enhances safety and encourage community participation and reporting", she said.

Speaking, the Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Security, AIG Olusola Subar (Rtd.), stressed the need to support and encourage community policing, explaining that it would be a catalyst for community development, thereby maintaining social bonds, promoting social cohesion and accountability.

On his part, the Vice-President II of RGDF, Col. Dele Oyefuga (Rtd.) and Project Coordinator of PIN, Dr. Michael Sodipo, submitted that the initiative focused on four key areas, namely, enlightenment campaign, school sports, youth and women empowerment, as well as training and provision of start-up kits for youths and women.

Appreciating the state government for transforming the lives of youths, the Aminisan of Oko, Oba Gabriel Odunayo and Elepe of Epe, Sagamu, Oba Adewale Osiberu, stated that a safer and more resilient community that would benefit all is possible if people were committed, enjoining all to join hands with government to build a community where people could live, work and thrive without fear.