By Jeffery Opone
UMUTU/Nigeria: As part of its policy to continue its promotion of technical education, the Delta state government, through the Delta State oil Producing Development Commission, DESOPADEC, has formerly handed over the Umutu Skill Acquisition Centre, which was completed by the commission, to the State Technical and Vocational Education Board.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, held at the centre at Umutu, Ukwuani Local Government Area, on 11 April, 2019, the commission represented by the Executive Director, Social Services Development, Dr. Samuel Ossai, said the reason to build the skill acquisition centre in Umutu is to help build the capacity of the youths which is in line with the SMART agenda of the Governor Sen. Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa.
He said when it comes to education; infrastructure is not just the building, but the content that the building is equipped with.
“This event which marks the formal handover of this training centre, is to further promote the SMART agenda of His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, with the so aim of building the capacity of the youths.”
“Infrastructure is not just the school building but the content of the building for infrastructure without equipment and human resources is just a building.”
“We are handing over this building today to the state government TVEB to enable our children learn/acquire Skills which will make them useful to the society says Dr. Neye.”
Dr. Ossai admonished users to have maintenance mentality and to ensure they use all the facilities/equipment as if it is their own to avoid vandalization, while same time praising the immediate past Executive Director, Social Services Development, DESOPADEC, Hon Christopher Ochor Ochor for his drive to see to the completion of the centre.
“The Skill Acquisition Centre is a centralized project because it will connect 3 LGA’s Ndokwa West, Ndokwa East and Ukwuani and any other person who wishes to come acquire skills and it is sited in Umutu simply because a good son of Umutu Hon. Christopher Ochor Ochor has paid lots of sacrifices for it to be completed.”
Responding, the Executive Secretary, of the State Techinical and Vocational Education Board, Mr. Mike Akpobire appreciated the commission, and board members especially the Managing Director, Olorogun Hon. Makinde Williams, Hon. Christopher Ochor Ochor and Dr. Samuel Ossai for the attention paid to the centre.
“We want to run the Skill Acquisition Centre with expertise as we have gone round to check all the facilities/equipment in each of the departments and we shall make sure that the Technical and Vocational Education Board work objectively to ensure that we bring out the best out of it and ensure that the graduates are well groomed.”
He iterated that the Governor Sen. Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa is interested in quality assurance and certification of the graduates which will grant them access to the job creation office for empowerment and other benefits which is in line with the SMART agenda of the Governor.
