The Ogun State House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling on all higher institutions of learning in the State to collaborate with the State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology as well as corporate organisations and public sector on the placement of students for the mandatory students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) and Industrial Training (IT) in the State to facilitate ease placement of students for industrial training.
The passage of the resolution during the week at the plenary, presided over by Speaker Suraju Ishola Adekunbi, followed a motion moved by the Sponsor and member representing Abeokuta North State Constituency, Hon Olayiwola Ojodu, seconded by his counterpart representing Odogbolu State Constituency, Adebowale Ojuri and supported by the whole House through a voice vote.
Opening debate on the motion, Ojodu explained that the collaboration became imparative in fulfilment of the curricula requirements of some courses being offered by Polytechnics and universities to undergo industrial training in partial fufillment of awards of Diploma and Degree respectively.
He added that the placement when secured would provide an avenue for students to acquire industrial skills and experience in their course of study towards equipping them for the challenges in the highly competitive labour market.
Corroborating Ojodu’s view, lawmakers including, Ojuri, Tunde Sanusi, Victor Fasanya and Olusola Sonuga, called for the timely implementation of the resolution upon its passage to further complement the huge investment of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun -led administration in educational sector, pointing out tha such synergy among relevant stakeholders would ensure effective placement that would help expose students to work methods and techniques in handling equipment and machinery that may not be available in their respective institutions.
They underscored the essence of technical and vocational education to the development of any nation, saying that the training would also make the transition from school to the world of work easier, thereby enhancing students’ contacts for future job placement.
In their separate submissions, Akanbi Bankole, Idowu Olowofuja, Ganiyu Oyedeji, Olujimi Otukoya and Akinpelu Aina, remarked that science and technology remained the bedrock of development in any nation’s, explaining the need for students to be provided with an opportunity to apply their knowledge in real work situation so as to bridge the gap between theory and practice, just as they canvassed for effective monitoring to ensure strict compliance with the training on the part of the students.
The lawmakers admonished the prospective student trainees to shun financial gains while seeking industrial placements, adding that the inculcation of skills and more knowledge beyond the classroom would equip the youth for national development.
In a related development, the Assembly also passed another resolution admonishing the State Government to encourage all home owners and other structures in the State through their Community Development Associations (CDAs) to construct drainages in front of their Houses and structures with a view to addressing constant damage of Community roads by run-off water spilling from residential buildings.
The passage of the resolution was sequel to the motion moved by Ganiyu Oyedeji, seconded by Akinpelu Aina and supported by the whole House through a voice vote during a plenary presided over by Speaker Suraju Ishola Adekunbi.
Members who spoke in support of the resolution including Ganiyu Oyedeji, Akinpelu Aina, Victor Fasanya, Adebowale Ojuri, Tunde Sanusi, Olujimi Otukoya and Olayiwola Ojodu, called on stakeholders in the built profession, particularly town planners to ensure strict compliance with the standard measure in the construction of drainage channels to allow for free flow of water with a view to preventing flooding across the State.
Packaged by Hazeez Ayansola
