Kunle Adelabu
It was a transformative experience a few days ago for the students across various public and private schools in Ikorodu Constituency II and other youths, as a member of the Lagos State Youth Parliament, Hon. Fathia Kolejo, convened an education fair.
The session which was sponsored by the representative of Ikorodu Constituency II, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA), exposed its audience to life -changing opportunities in education, vocational skills and career development, as seasoned government functionaries, educationists, and experts dissected issues to inspire the youths in attendance to greatness.
The event themed, “Empowering Minds: Unlocking Opportunities for a Brighter Future”, took place at the Golden Event Centre, Oke – Eletu, Ijede LCDA, with the keynote address by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Institutions, Lagos State, Dr Waheed Kasali and the Director, Agency for Mass Education, Lagos State, Mrs Kemi Kalesanwo and Director of Information & Publicity, Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu, Mr Lanre Kuye.
There was also a panel session where youth leaders also engaged issues and inspired the youths.
Hon. Fathia Kolejo, in her address as the convener of the Ikorodu Constituency II Education Fair, said that the transformative session is aimed at empowering minds and unlocking opportunities for a brighter future.
“For me, organizing this fair goes beyond just hosting an event; it is about creating lasting opportunities that can transform lives. I believe in the power of vocational education as a vital pathway to self-reliance, innovation, and economic empowerment. However, we must do more,” she said.
The youth leader charged the representative of Ikorodu Constituency II and other government functionaries at the event to do more in establishing functional vocational centres that would truly impact on the youths desiring skills and education.
“I, therefore, urge our Chief Host, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun, and Mrs. Kalesanwo, the Director of Mass Education, to please prioritize the establishment of standard vocational schools across all LCDAs in Ikorodu Constituency II. By doing so, we will not only equip our youth with essential skills but also lay a strong foundation for sustainable economic growth in our communities.”
She commended the Lagos lawmaker and others for their support for the programme.
While also stating that the event was designed to assist the youth in their growth, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun, the Chief Host of the event, also emphasized the need for youth to be prepared for the future with educational and skill empowerment.
“It is a profound honour to stand before you today as we gather for the Ikorodu Constituency II Education Fair 2025, an event dedicated to empowering minds and unlocking opportunities for a brighter future. This event is more than just a gathering – it is a powerful platform designed to equip our youth with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to excel in today’s dynamic world.
“As a firm believer in the power of education, I have always maintained that the best investment we can make as leaders is in the education and empowerment of our youth.
Today, we bring together stakeholders from various sectors – educational institutions, vocational trainers, NGOs, and career experts – to provide our youth with access to opportunities that can redefine their future,” he said.
Hon. Aro commended the convener, Hon. Fathia Kolejo for her selflessness and dedication to the educational and skill development advocacy for youth.
Prince Kasali in his keynote address charged youths on the need to develop a 21st Century mindset not only to survive, but also excel in what he described as a volatile, challenging and unpredictable world.
He said that the youth must constantly educate their minds and reorientate themselves with productive entreprise and activities.
He called for personal educational development and the need for his audience to continually engage themselves in continuous learning and also acquire knowledge in Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence and other technologically driven knowledge to upscale themselves.
He also emphasized the need to acquire skills as additional way of not only to have financial security but also relevance in the ever – changing world.
The keynote speaker also charged youth to develop a growth mindset and not a fixed one, whereby open themselves to learning, unlearn and relearn to acquire new ideas and innovation.
He commended Hon. Aro for his quality representation especially in the area of youth empowerment and the convener of the event for the initiative. Dr. Kasali also advised that the laudable programme should be sustained.
The Director of Agency for Mass Education, also revealed that the intention of the government is to establish the training centres in all the 57 councils in the state.
While stating that many young guys have been empowered through the centres, she reeled out success stories of students that have completed their training and established and expanded their businesses.
In his own address, Mr Lanre Kuye who engaged the audience on the nature of what they should expect in higher institutions charged them on the need to prepare themselves for the challenging and rigorous system when they get admitted.
He also warned them against what he termed as ‘landmines’ in higher institutions and charged them not to fall victims of cultism, prostitution and social vices.
The Director of Information, LASUSTECH also urged students in higher institutions to use their free time after lectures to acquire vocational skills that can sustain them financially.
He charged them not to focus mainly on the universities, polytechnic and college of education for admissions, adding that they must search for other degree awarding institutions that focus on their chosen disciplines.
Students from various schools that spoke at the end of the speeches commended the speakers and the organisers for the thought – provoking session.
There was also a tour of the exhibition by one of the schools that attended the programme.
