ROTARY VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE EQUIPMENT - PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Background and Project Justification
The low level of productive/economic activities in many parts of Nigeria is due to the high level of unemployment among the teaming millions of young Nigerian citizens. Nigeria has a very high proportion of its population in the youthful age group and their unemployment means a huge loss to the Country. This also breeds frustration and criminality among this vulnerable group with huge potentials but no opportunity for employment.
In order to reduce this tide of unemployment and the associated high level of criminality and other complications in the Igbogbo-Baiyeku area of Lagos State of Nigeria, the District did a very exhaustive Needs Assessment which included meetings with The Legislator representing this area at the Federal level, The Community leaders including the Paramount Ruler, The Local Council Development Authority and the youths at various times.
These meetings yielded the buy-in of all stakeholders for this Project and the trade skills to be taught at the centre.
The Community Leaders with the collaboration of the Local Government Authority, ceded a parcel of land located within the Igbogbo Stadium Complex to District 9110, for the Project. The LCDA Authority has also promised to conclude all the necessary Governmental regulations on this parcel of land.
The District made contact with The Lagos State Agency for Mass Education which has the mandate to supervise vocational studies among youths and also Adult Education among uneducated or partially-educated adults. They have been supervising and advising the District on the building and the laboratories for each trade. They have also volunteered to donate a few equipments to this project.
Project Overview
This is a Community Project intended to empower the youth through skills acquisition in a trade and become self employed and self reliant. This project is located in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State. The project addresses one of Rotary's Areas of Focus which is Economic & Community Development. The goal is to invest in people to create measurable and enduring economic improvement in their lives and help develop opportunities for decent and productive work, particularly for the youth in Ikorodu environs generally and Igbogbo/Baiyeku Community in particular, where the centre is located. The project is located in the environs of Igbogbo Stadium and Post office.
The project evolution is as described below:
Rotary International District 9110 sourced for a land from Igbogbo/Baiyeku Community who in turn sensitized the Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) for their subsequent involvement to build the Vocational Centre for the community. The Community donated the land for the project, The LCDA have perfected the title documents of the land with government.
In line with government policy on establishment of Vocational Centres, Agency for Mass Education (AME) of the Lagos State Ministry charged with the responsibility for regulation of courses in such centres proposed trades that will be taught at the vocational centre. It also furnished a comprehensive list of equipments and tools needed for the trades given 25 students per class, 3 days in a week of course instructions for each trade and trade duration time.
The District 9110, after due consultation engaged building professionals and commenced construction of the vocational centre. The construction is completed and commissioned.
For sustainability of the project, a hall was introduced into the building design for renting out to end-users to derive internally generated funds to successfully run the centre.
A list of modern equipments, tools and utensils required to fully equip all the trades that will be used for the training of students has been generated and the estimated cost ascertained and source of supplies identified.
Arrangement is in place to train the instructors and the maintenance crew on the use, repair and maintenance of the equipments, tools and utensils for durability.
The source of replacement parts has also been identified and where it is necessary for equipments requiring expertise, backup service will be solicited from the supplier to minimize downtime.
Logistics of delivery, installation and setup of equipments will be worked out to ensure smooth and unhindered take off of the vocational centre.
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