EDITORIAL: Bringing Back The Technical Colleges

• Kudos to Governor Adeleke

Nigeria’s problem is the “development of underdevelopment “, a phrase once in the country’s currency in the nineteen-sixties. It is a matter of regret that it still captures the Nigerian situation today. We shouldn’t be using or referring to such phrases at this time. This is why trillions of Naira spent on “projects” has not led to a breakthrough. It is human capital and skills-based emphasis that lead to job creation and sustainable development. 

The administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola correctly initiated the development of technical colleges as a critical ingredient in the process of development. It was (senselessly) terminated by his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola. This is a crying shame! As Governor Ademola Adeleke sensibly pointed out a few days ago, “The colleges are needed more than ever before to address increasing joblessness in the country. It was sheer insensitivity on Oyetola’s part to abandon the project since the government should be a continuum.

We cannot afford to abandon such a lofty project. We need technical colleges more than ever before. “Why would an elected Governor abandon projects inherited from Aregbesola and others? It is sheer insensitivity. Is government not a continuum? For me and my team, we are completing such projects even as we start our own. Let me declare here that technical colleges are back from now onward.”

This sort of child-like behaviour exhibited by Oyetola is to be condemned, and the efforts of Governor Adeleke at revival are commendable. It is also important to state that the effects of a low-skill economy have now become a threat to social stability, it has also resulted in an uncompetitive economy. 

The technical colleges must be revived as innovation hubs to provide a secure future for the next generation. This is where the future is; we should look at the effect of the impact of the technical colleges on the economy of Germany and on the astonishing rise of Vietnam.  

Division of building an economy based on skills and innovation must be the guiding light to guide a sustainable economy for Osun State, and former Governor Aregbesola. The present Governor, Ademola Adeleke, must be commended for being on the same page on the issue of sustainable development.