Government Technical College Ogbomoso seeks collaboration as it holds valedictory service

Government Technical College Ogbomoso seeks collaboration as it holds valedictory service

Yinka ADETUNJI

Some of the graduands

The principal of Government Technical College, Kajola area, Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Mr. A.K. Adebiyi, has invited partners to collaborate with the school as it seeks to intensify efforts towards transforming Nigeria in the area of skills impartation.

Mr. Akinbiyi made this known at the 2025 valedictory service of the college held Wednesday.

The event held at the school hall, was attended by many dignitaries including the Commissioner of Education Hon Olusegun Olayiwola represented by the Permanent Secretary/IP Adisa BOA, Rev’d. Dr Paul Oyedokun (Permanent Secretary/Inspector General of Education Ogbomoso zone I, Mrs. I.A. Kayode (Director, Ministry of Education), Mr T.A. Adisa (Director, Ministry of Education), Mrs. E.A. Aremu (Director/LIE Ogbomoso South) and Mr. Adedokun represented by the Executive Chairman of BOTAVED.

School principal Mr Adebiyi

Some others are Majority Leader of Oyo State House of Assembly Hon Sanjo Adedoyin represented by Hon Tunde Oguntoye; Rev’d. S.O. Adesina (a retired Head of Zone Teaching Service Commission TESCOM Ogbomoso zone) who was guest speaker; Alhaji Sadiq Rasaq, chairman, Hekky Water & Hotel, Ogbomoso; principals of Ogbomoso High School, Agboola Adibi Millennium High School and Emmanuel Agboola Baptist Grammar School, Mrs. R.A. Ajala (represented), Mrs. E.O. Olutunji (represented) and Mr. Femi Ogunlana respectively.

In his speech principal, Mr. Adebiyi, said the institution is committed to raising “minds and hands that will not only seek white-collar jobs but erect value, solve problems, and build our nation through skill, innovation, and excellence,” emphasizing the importance of a technical college in the “promotion of entrepreneurship, skill acquisition and practical training, bridging the skills gap, reduction of youth unemployment, support of industrial and technological development, encouragement of innovation and creativity, alternative pathway to higher education, enhancement of national productivity, community and rural development, and reduction of social vices.”

Adebiyi submitted that Government Technical College, Ogbomoso is dedicated to achieving these mandates by “providing her students with quality education – formal, informal and non-formal.”

Assuring the institution will not relent in producing “skilled technicians, craftsmen, entrepreneurs, innovators, and problem-solvers,” he called on industries and philanthropists to partner with the school in the areas of funding, provision of perimeter fencing, increased publicity about what the school stands for, improved partnership with companies, etc. “We will like to seize this opportunity to seek help with these so that we can have better results. In addition to the aforementioned, we have the following essential and urgent needs: provision of laptop computers, tools and equipment for various departments, lawn mowers for cutting grasses, utility vehicles, electrical wires, toilets, sick bay, library, and construction of buildings,” the principal added.

While congratulating the graduands he charged them to be resilient and bring to bear the many skills and life lessons they have learnt through their “dedicated teachers,” as he noted, “We live in a time where skills are power. In a nation and a world in need of transformation, your hands and minds are the tools God has prepared to make a difference. Whether you are going into further studies, entrepreneurship, apprenticeship, or the labour market, go with your heads held high. You are more than qualified.”

He also urged the celebrants, “Let your skill not just be a means of livelihood. but a tool of transformation. Let your certificates not just be paper, but a symbol of confidence, competence and character.

“Nigeria needs you. The world is waiting for you. Go and light your candle no matter how small-world will take notice.”

Revd Adesina delivering the valedictory lecture

In his valedictory lecture, Rev’d Adesina reading from Jeremiah 1: 4-8, admonished the graduands to assume the responsibility of elders as they ford the river of life and to stop seeing themselves as children.

He urged them to make hay while the sun shines to avoid regret in the later years. “You must not make the same mistakes the elders today made, you must quickly set forth to make your life useful. Don’t see yourselves as children any longer, accept the challenge, accept responsibility. Do not disappoint us, it shall be well with you,” he said.

According to the programme bulletin there are graduates in the following departments – mechanical engineering craft practice, computer craft studies, blocklaying/bricklaying/concreting, painting and decorating, catering craft practice, electrical installation and maintenance works, motor vehicle mechanics works, and business.

The exciting programme also featured presentation of prizes, cultural performance, among others.