A leading aspirant for the House of Representatives seat in Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC),Deolu Masolanu, has unveiled plans to establish a standard vocational training centre aimed at empowering youths and reducing unemployment across the constituency.
Speaking during an inspection visit to TONIAF Lodgings and Accommodations in Lanlate, Ibarapa East Local Government Area, Masolanu said Nigeria must urgently shift attention from overdependence on white-collar jobs to vocational and technical education capable of promoting self-employment and economic survival.
According to him, the growing number of graduates competing for limited government and private sector jobs has made vocational empowerment a necessity rather than an option.
“I have always believed that our youths and school leavers need to be self-employed and they deserve to be provided with the perfect environment to develop their arts and talents,” he said.
“Regardless of their levels of education, with the right environment, our youths can embrace different vocations, provided they have access to training, retraining, tools and other necessary support.”
Masolanu, who described himself as a long-time advocate of technical education, stressed that sustainable economic growth can only be achieved when citizens are equipped with practical skills capable of generating income and employment opportunities.
“We can no longer continue to concentrate on white-collar jobs. We keep producing fresh graduates while opportunities provided through government and private establishments become increasingly competitive,” he stated.
“The ability of our country to survive economically rests on our ability to provide jobs for the people. Therefore, reliance must shift from white-collar jobs to self-employment.”
The APC aspirant explained that while he may not possess the constitutional powers to establish a technical institution as a legislator, he could facilitate the creation of a functional vocational training centre that would serve the people effectively.
“As a legislator, I do not have the official instruments to establish a technical school, but I can establish a functional vocational training centre,” he added.
Masolanu disclosed that discussions were ongoing with the owners of TONIAF Lodgings and Accommodations over the possible conversion of parts of the facility into a vocational training centre.
He noted that the facility possesses the necessary infrastructure required for technical and vocational learning.
“We are looking at how we can make use of some of their facilities for the purpose of establishing a standard vocational training centre. We are yet to reach an agreement with them, but I must say I am impressed with the facilities on ground,” he said.
According to him, the complex features two fully air-conditioned multipurpose halls, 84 self-contained studio apartments, gallery rooms suitable for photography and visual art exhibitions, spacious management offices, a dedicated electric transformer, functional boreholes and large parking spaces.
“Like I said, the facility is perfectly ideal for what we have in mind and we will continue discussions with the owners,” he stated.
The aspirant also reiterated his commitment to grassroots politics, revealing that he was heading to Ido Local Government for the inauguration of his ward coordinators.
He appealed to APC leaders, stakeholders and members across the constituency to support his aspiration, assuring them of victory for the party if given the ticket.
“With due respect and humility, more than any other aspirant in this race, I have made myself available and accessible,” he said.
“To the glory of God Almighty, I am resident in both Ibarapa East and Ido Local Governments. I have built a political structure of my own since 2021 and nurtured that structure over the years.”
Masolanu further highlighted the activities of his foundation through which he said he had consistently reached out to the people in his “own little way.”
He concluded by expressing appreciation to party leaders, local government executives, ward chairmen and supporters for their continued encouragement.
“We are good. We are ready. We will give APC victory without sweat,” he declared.