Edo State Targets 20 Technical Colleges As Obaseki Pledges More Investment

The Governor of Edo State Godwin Obaseki has assured of government’s readiness to sustain investment in technical and vocational education to drive the state’s industrial growth.

Obaseki who stated this while receiving members of Benin College Old Students’ Association Worldwide, led by the President, Friday Emuze, said his government would build about 20 technical colleges, with one in each council to drive Edo’s industrial growth and boost employment opportunities.

Heeding the group’s request for the Government Science and Technical College, Benin to revert to its original name, the Benin Technical College, he said he is convinced that the school should be restored to its original name.

Obaseki added that the state is working with the Federal Government to ensure that Federal College of Education, Technical in Ekiadolor takes off, so that a pool of teachers can be trained to help begin the process of revamping technical education in the state.

He revealed that the state would have more technical colleges in city centres.

Obaseki, who highlighted the importance of technical education in the socio-economic growth and development of any nation, said one of the major reasons for high unemployment rate in Nigeria, apart from poor government policies, was lack of skills.

He said people look down on vocational training; everybody just wants a degree and certificates, adding that government was very clear right from day one that the way to go was to rethink the educational system to produce self-reliant people.

Earlier, Emuze commended the governor for reviving technical education in the state and urged him to ensure the repositioning of Benin Technical College.