Obiano trains 3,000 students on Entrepreneurship, signs MoU with 11 companies on skills acquisition

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Anambra government weekend signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with companies to serve as hands-on centres for students of Technical and vocational Colleges in the state.
Already, 3,000 students would benefit from the scheme targeted at making them self reliant and entrepreneurs with expertise at the end of their training. 
Governor Willie Obiano flagged off the scheme at Okpuno Educational center of the state Government said it is a World Bank Assisted programme under the State Education Programme Investment Project (SEPIP).  
Prof.  Kate Omenugha, Commissioner for Education in Anambra who signed on behalf of the government said the agreement became expedient in order to develop a generation of entrepreneurial youths.
She said this was in addition to the over 3,500 technical education students who were undergoing vehicles body building and maintenance under the Innoson Motors tutelage.
She said the managers of the firms would also serve as resource persons in the 12 registered vocational schools in the state, since it is a partnership programme between the construction industries and Technical and Vocational colleges in the state.
Omenugha’s words: "We want make our students match the theory of the class with practical, we them to be real producers of value and by extension be the new middle class entrepreneurs.
"The administration of Gov Willie Obiano is doing a lot in the education sector and is also making sure that the educational needs of all are met," he said.
Omenugha informed further that none of the colleges have received accreditation but expressed happiness that the Technical college at Nnewi would get its accreditation next month while that of Onitsha would follow and gradually all the Technical colleges would be accredited by the Board on Technical Education.
She said the efforts are geared towards reinvigorating the technical colleges in the state which in turn yield bountiful for craft specialization and technician for societal benefits.  
Chief Albert Agbata, a plumbing expert who spoke to newsmen said they were happy with interest of government in their trades and promised to give good training to the would-be interns.
Agbata described artisanship as very rewarding and urged government to create enabling business environment to enable them thrive.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Dr Beatrice Okonkwo noted that technical sector has suffered wanton neglect , due majorly for quest for the white collar jobs to the detriment of the society as quality artisans and technicians are lacking.
She said the action is in line with the state governments policy direction of achieving more with little and described the event as historic even as she urged the project coordinator of SEPIP , Mr Charles Okeke and partners to live above board to be able to actualize the mission and vision of the project.