Commissioner for Youth and Social Development in Lagos State, Mr Agboola Dabiri has commended the Visioneer and Management of Rhoda Youth Centre, Ikorodu for promoting youth and economic empowerment, through skills acquisition training.
Delivering the Commissioner’s keynote address, Mrs Adu Abiola lauded the Rhoda youth initiative, stating that the state government was proud of the selflessness of the Visioneers.
The training institute, otherwise known as the Dream Center which commenced operations in 2010 said it has trained over 1, 000 students in the last eight (8) years of its existence. The institute in the time past has also trained many youths in Agric farm, performing arts, etc.
The Ikorodu-based free vocational training centre has formally graduated its 2018 ‘Bacth A’ set of students in various vocational skill trainings. 33 students graduated from Fashion, Hair making, Video Editing and Shoe and Bag Making departments of the vocational training institute.
The CEO of Rhoda Youth Centre, Mrs Tosan Erogbogbo noted that, ‘the centre has been in the business of building and moulding our youths for the past eight years, at zero cost’.
Speaking on the challenges being faced by the centre in training the youths for free, Mrs Erogbogbo added that, ‘in the midst of the difficulty of our present society, God has helped us to continue to carry out this great assignment. It has been strenuous for us, due to funds constraint but, we have managed to pull through’, she said.
She used the opportunity to call on well meaning members of the public, particularly government and public office holders to support the laudable initiative of Rhoda Youth Centre, by donating equipment like hair dryers, still and video cameras, etc so that the institute can reach out to more youths across Ikorodu division.
Rev’d Shayo Adebayo, guest speaker at the event, who is also a certified beautician and entrepreneur, spoke on the theme, Certificate Vs Skills Acquisition. He shared his grass to grace story of humble beginnings and how he has been able to make an enviable career and living through skill acquisition, to inspire the graduants. He advised them to embrace their newly acquired skills above the certificates to be presented to them. He premised this on the reality that today’s society requires more of skillful people than those with over-rated academic and professional certificates.
Speaking at the event, on behalf of Hon Jimi Benson, member, representing Ikorodu federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Mr Taiwo Odumbo expressed happiness at the enormity of the selfless charity works being done by Mr and Mrs Rotimi Erogbogbo, through the Rhoda Youth Centre. He also shared personal benefits and he has enjoyed from the couple.
Making a remark at the event, Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, Chairman Ikorodu Oga Development Association (IKODASS) commended Mr Rotimi and Mrs Tosan Erogbogbo for promoting the Rhoda Youth Centre initiative. He also implored the graduants to take good advantage of the opportunity of the training to make a living for themselves and make a professional career out of the vocations.
In his speech and closing remarks, the Visioneer of Rhoda Youth Centre, Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo stressed that the purpose of life is to assist others in activating their dreams and visions, noting that this belief is the inspiration behind the Rhoda Youth Centre.
He thereafter charged the graduants to extend the same gesture they have enjoyed from Rhoda to others in need. He also challenged them to
Erogbogbo also used the opportunity to correct the notion that the centre is being sponsored or supported by government or any funding agency in Nigeria or abroad. He reiterated that the vision has been sustained by personal funds from himself and family.
The ceremony climaxed with the presentation of certificates to the successful students.
