Prof. Siyan Oyeweso and Prof. Tunde Aworanti Celebrate Olu Aina @80 with a new book: Technical and Vocational Education and the Challenges of Development
FOREWORD By Prof Modupe Adeola Adelabu
I consider it a great honour to write the foreword to Technical and Vocational Education and the Challenge of Development in Nigeria: a Festschrift for Professor Olu Aina @ 80. At 80, Prof Olu Aina has carved a niche for himself as an elderly statesman and highly respected national and global icon.
His forte is Technical and Vocational Education and he has acquired the status of global ambassador of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). This publication is very timely, coming up at a time when Nigeria is searching for alternative developmental plans.
For over a span of forty years, Prof Olu Aina has contributed immensely to the development of Technical and Vocational Education at the national and global levels. Apart from pioneering the establishment of Department of Technical and Vocational Education in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and producing the first Professor of Business Education in Nigeria, he also pioneered as the first Chief Executive Officer in NABTEB and Chairman of Osun State Board of Technical and Vocational Education. He was also the Chairman of Panel, set up by the Obasanjo Administration, that produced the subsisting Blue Print on TVET in Nigeria – a document acclaimed by UNESCO as credible and original. Prof. Olu Aina has consistently demonstrated that TVET is vital for Poverty reduction, economic, recovery, youth engagement and Sustainable Development.
When Prof Olu AIna was drafted as consultant to the Education Trust Fund (ETF) as a Consultant, he assisted the Fund to focus on, and succeeded in diverting attention and resources to TVET. As a result, the Polytechnics and Technical Colleges throughout Nigeria evidently got new lease of life, and the impact is still being felt till date. He has also consistently canvassed the view that policy attention to TVET be improved and sustained so that Nigeria could be a major player in the global arena.
Prof Olu Aina’s view is that the degree of the economy of a nation is directly proportional to its social life existence. I am indeed in perfect agreement with him, that beyond oil and gas, we should develop strategic alternatives for Nigeria’s future development. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is still the most strategic option and the strongest winning gateway to alleviate poverty, engender entrepreneurship and stimulate sustainable economic growth.
I observe that the collection of essays are authored by seasoned academics with interest and specialization in Technical and Vocational Education drawn from universities and Polytechnics across different states of Nigeria. No doubt, the book is a significant addition and scholarly contribution to the existing plethora of literature on Technical and Vocational Education and Training.
Written in simple and lucid language, the collection of essays in this book draw our attention to the imperative of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and its promise for development.
I heartily congratulate Prof Olu Aina, the honouree, the editors, Prof. Siyan Oyeweso and Dr. Tunde Aworanti and other contributors to this volume for drawing the attention, once again, of all stakeholders and policy makers to this unmined gold field – Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
I warmly recommend the book to all scholars and students of Faculties of Education in Conventional Universities, Polytechnics, Monotechnics, Universities of Technology, Technical Universities, Colleges of Education and Institutes of Education. Policy makers at the Federal and State levels will also find the book a useful companion and guide in developing and implementing policies in TVET.
- Prof Modupe Adeola Adelabu (NBTE)
Chairman, National Board for Technical and Vocational Education.
Abuja, FCT, Nigeria.