More students embrace vocational skills

By Edith Igbokwe

Following the trend of unemployment in the country, more secondary school students are now embracing vocational skills to enhance their employability or create jobs for themselves after school.

This was shown as more SS1 students from different schools in Oshodi voluntarily enrolled under a fine Artist, Fatai Giwa at Oyetayo Street, Bolade Oshodi, to learn the rudiment of the handiwork.

The students told ECHONEWs that they enrolled into the vocation in order to enhance their talents in arts making and to use the knowledge acquired as a source of income.

One of the apprentices, Matthew Udeh stated that he likes drawing and could only perfect it by associating with people like Giwa to enhance his proficiency.

“I like drawing and the only way to perfect it is by identifying with a professional to acquire more skills,” he said.

To suit their academic time frame in school as well as to afford them the opportunity to attend to home chores, the apprentices resume from 3:30pm and close at 6pm. (Monday-Friday).

Apart from acquiring the skill, Udeh also planned to create something that would serve as a source of income that would sustain him during his university education, not to wholly depend on his parents for finance.

Among the arts and crafts skills offered includes portrait paintings, sculpture works, printing on materials, souvenir for parties like birthday, wedding and burial ceremonies.

Speaking, Giwa advised other students to emulate their colleagues by also enrolling for a vocation of their choice which could create jobs for them.