RECTEM holds 2nd International Conference

The Chairman, Governing Council, Redeemers College of Technology and Management (RECTEM), Dr. Johnson Funsho Odesola has called on the federal government to promote vocational and technical education with a view to solving unemployment in the country and boost the economy.

Odesola through his representative, the Deputy Rector, RECTEM, Dr. Timothy Olaniyan, made the call in his welcome address delivered at the 2nd RECTEM’s International Conference at Redemption Camp, Ogun State, with the theme: ‘Vocational and Technical Education: Catalist to national development’.

He described the conference as unique, timely and of global relevance in line with the theme.

“Nations are consistently gravitating towards the world of skills rather than that of certificate. So, it is now a question of what can you do, rather than what does your certificate says you can do,” he said.

He assured that with the convergence of experts, academians and research oriented individuals at the conference available to speak on the theme, participants would not remain the same, knowledge-wise.

The Rector, RECTEM, Dr. Stella Mofunanya, in her opening speech celebrated the Proprietor of the institution, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye and his wife, Folu and also appreciated Odesola for providing the platform for RECTEM to operate.

She described the conference as very vital and necessary at this time which undoubtedly would be of great benefit to the various participants both physical and virtual.

The Chairman, 2022 Conference Planning Committee, Dr. Gbolade Soneye, said the theme was very apt at this time in Nigeria while the Special Guest, President, Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN), Bayo Olugbemi, who was represented at the occasion advanced the importance of creating financial institutions, tool-leasing agencies among others, strictly for vocationally skilled people to ensure access to start up capital and equipment after acquisition of skills.

Keynote Speaker, Former Director, Institute of Vocational Training and Research in Agriculture, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ilagun, Ogun State, Prof. James Banjo, said Nigerians are suffering today because institutions providing vocational and technical education are not paying attention to methods, relativity, depth and significance of research carried out which under normal circumstances should be in line with the need of industry adding that there has been lack of industrial synergy.

The Lead Paper Presenter of Department of Industrial Tech. Education, Tai Solarin University of Education, Prof. Ibiwunmi Alade, submitted that the need to provide technical knowledge and skills necessary for agricultural, industrial, commercial and economic development of Nigeria cannot be overemphasised.

He remarked that presently, the mode of vocational and technical education curriculum delivery and non-provision of adequate skill vocational curriculum implementers and equipment needed remain a problem.

He emphasised that Vocational and Technical Education (VTE) curriculum are deficient on requirements and the skills needed by industrial sector and private
organization.