Former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, has revealed that he banned the use of motorcycles, popularly known as “Okada,” in the state during his administration because of intelligence reports indicating that the riders were using them to deliver illicit drugs to youths.
Fashola disclosed this while delivering a lecture titled “Vocational-Technical Training and Skills Acquisition and Youth in the World of Work and Employment Market: What does Nigeria have to offer?” at the Federal College of Education, Akoka’s 38th Convocation Ceremony in Lagos.
“Illicit drugs damage the mind; hence, there is nothing one can do once the mind is damaged, and such the graduands should run away from it,” Fashola said, adding that a drug-free society is essential for the future. He commended the current Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa, for his zeal in achieving a drug-free country, citing the seizure of over two million kilograms of illicit drugs and the arrest of 38 barons.
Fashola emphasized the need for Nigerian graduates to reorient themselves, noting that they were not socialized to be entrepreneurs but employees. He urged them to imbibe the mindset of serving their fatherland and to be creators, as there are enormous talents in everyone calling for them to be harnessed.
According to Fashola, “The Nigerian developmental agenda has been normalized around what the country can do for us. But I think there should be a corresponding designed agenda for what we are bringing to the table. The one-way side that we are following has enabled us to know our roles, but how many of us know our duties?”
The Provost of the College, Dr Wahab Azeez, also noted that the 21st century is an era driven by skills across disciplines without which modern inventions would have been impossible, adding that the citadel of learning was founded with the aim of grooming and producing teachers in Technical, Vocational and Commercial academic disciplines. However, inadequate resources have militated against optimal implementation and best outputs despite the importance of the skills, he added.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
EXPLAINER: What happens if an elected lawmaker dies after election?
There have been heated arguments on what happens if an elected federal lawmaker dies before taking…
I’m single, bride waiting to be dressed — Olori Naomi
Prophetess Silekunola Naomi Ogunwusi, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, has claimed to be single and…
Alaafin: My father never lost any bout during his lifetime — First son, Prince Israel
The first son of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, Prince Israel Adeyemi, has recounted how the former was…
OFFCUT: How to advice someone with bad breath without being rude
Advising someone with bad breath can be awkward, especially when you want to refrain from using…
Xavi reveals why he called up 15-year-old Lamine Yamal to Barcelona squad
Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernandez, has opened up on his historic decision to call up 15-year-old La Masia winger Lamine Yamal to…
The Banana Island building collapse
ON one level, the real tragedy about the collapse of a seven-storey apartment building under construction on First Avenue, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, is…