Ayomide Awe
The Abeokuta Rotary Club Royale marked a significant milestone as it celebrated the graduation of 150 special students from a three-month vocational training programme designed to foster self-dependence within the community.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the ceremony, held at St. Peter’s College in Olomore, Abeokuta, showed the club’s commitment to empowering individuals with special needs and integrating them into the larger society.
Themed “Vocational Empowerment: A Pathway to Sustainable Employment,” the event was graced by notable figures, including the President of the Abeokuta Rotary Club Royale, Comrade Adetonike Ganiyat Kazeem .
Others are Rasheed Aro, a representative of the guest speaker; the Special Assisitant to the Ogun State Governor on Youth Development, Comrade Olamide Lawal; and Hon. Micheal Adekanmbi, a Special Guest.
Also in attendance included the Project Chairperson, Rotarian Arch. Ogunmuyiwa Oluyemi; the Chairman of the Ijemo Council of Balees; the Principal of St. Peter’s College, Mrs. Majolagbe Abosede; members of the school management, and Rotary Club members.
In his opening remarks, Past President Aremu Babatunde provided insight into the history of Rotary, founded on February 23, 1905.
He said “today, the Rotary movement has grown to encompass over 1.4 million members worldwide.”
He also highlighted that there are 12 Rotary Clubs in Abeokuta alone, with the Abeokuta Rotary Club Royale being one of the prominent ones.
Babatunde emphasized that Rotary is an open fellowship composed of individuals of integrity, dedicated to serving humanity through their resources.
Speaking at the event, the President of the Abeokuta Rotary Club Royale, outlined the club’s mission to support marginalized groups, particularly special students, who are often neglected by society.
“We believe that even if special individuals cannot work in offices, they should be empowered with skills to support themselves and thrive in other areas,” Kazeem said.
She emphasized that the three-month training revealed the untapped potential among these students, urging both the government and society to invest in them.
The vocational training covered a variety of skills, including soap and air freshener production, bag making, shoe making, and tie-dye techniques.
Each student was introduced to two different vocational skills, equipping them with versatile tools for self-sufficiency.
Kazeem also noted that January is typically dedicated to vocational initiatives within the Rotary calendar, and the club intends to extend similar training to other schools with special needs students in the coming months.
Guest speaker Mr. Rasheed Aro offered a thought-provoking analogy, comparing a graduate without vocational skills to an ATM card with no money inside – essentially useless.
He stressed that while formal education remains important, acquiring practical skills alongside academic qualifications is essential for success in today’s challenging economic climate.
“Vocational education is a foundational challenge Nigeria must address if we are to achieve economic revival,” Aro remarked, also praising the government for incorporating crafts into the school curriculum as a mandatory subject for students.
Comrade Olamide Lawal, expressed his support for the initiative, noting that the government is committed to uplifting the lives of vulnerable individuals.
“This project is about bringing smiles to faces and creating opportunities,” Lawal said, urging individuals who are blessed to assist those in need.
He also highlighted the state government’s ongoing efforts to empower youth, including the recent launch of a project aimed at training 1,000 young girls in vocational skills.
Furthermore, the Ogun State government is revamping its technical colleges to ensure better access to skill acquisition for young people across the state.
Lawal also reiterated that the government is revising school curricula to ensure that vocational training is integrated into the education system, thus fostering inclusivity and equipping youth with the necessary skills to thrive in a competitive job market.
In her remarks, the Principal of St. Peter’s College, Mrs. Majolagbe Abosede, expressed her gratitude to the Rotary Club Royale for offering this life-changing opportunity to the special students.
She shared that the initiative began three months ago and had been welcomed by the school management due to its potential to significantly enhance the lives of the students.
“We are happy that at the end of this training, these special students now have the skills to make their way in the world,” she said. “Our goal is to ensure they can independently support themselves and contribute to their communities.”
Instructors who provided hands-on training in tie-dye and bag-making techniques spoke highly of the students, praising their calm demeanor, eagerness to learn, and dedication to mastering new skills.
The tie-dye instructor noted that while teaching special students was initially a challenge, it proved to be a rewarding experience as they demonstrated immense potential and a desir
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