By IKENNA ASOMBA

Pathetically, Nigeria’s quest to become one of the top 20 global economies by 2020 has continuously hit the brick-wall, in what concerned stakeholders have argued to be the nation’s over-dependence on imported basic goods such as matches box, toothpicks, cotton buds, water starch, disinfectants,  among others.

It is against this backdrop that stakeholders who gathered at the 12th graduation ceremony of the Centre for Vocational Empowerment and Development (CVED), held at Dominion Faith International Church (DFIC), Ipaja, Lagos, have argued that the nation must prioritize the acquisition of vocational skills for its citizenry if it must alleviate its steep poverty rate, whilst raising ethical leaders and potential entrepreneurs.

Among dignitaries present at the event were Director, SMEDAN, Mr. Yinka Fishers; President, Association of Micro-Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (AMEN), Comrade Prince Saviour Iche; Keynote Speaker and Director of Partners Worldwide, Dr. Jeremiah Yongo; Chief Oladele Alonge, Baale of Omila-Alawode, Ipaja, Lagos; Eld. Rotimi Gansallo, the Director of Its Thee Lords Ventures and Pastor Mercy Esan, CVED Registrar.

Speaking at the ceremony where no fewer than 235 students were graduated in the 3 months free intensive practical vocational training in fields such as bead making, printing, decoration and event management, computer appreciation and desktop publishing, catering, hairdressing, production of home-use chemicals and adult literacy, the CEO, CVED Project and Senior Pastor, DFIC, Rev. David Olatona, noted that the programme was part of the church’s develop-mental efforts to alleviate poverty in the country.

“Today’s ceremony is a significant phase of development in the actualization of our vision and dream to alleviate poverty, raise ethical leaders in the 21st century and potential entrepreneurs for Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.

“Having a passion for helping people and the less privilege, fully aware of the fact that we live in a world where basic education has failed to yield expected positive results and unemployment is the order of the day.”

the church decided to not only put foods on the table of people of the Ipaja community, but to give them free skills to make them self reliant.”