IVETA President Serumu Igberadja congratulates Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on TVET initiatives, recommending teacher retraining, bursary programs, and construction site partnerships for youth empowerment
The International Vocational Education and Training Association (IVETA) has extended its highest commendation to the Delta State Government for its visionary leadership in advancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs.
Serumu Igberadja, President of IVETA, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting TVET globally, particularly in developing countries, expressed profound admiration for the state’s commitment to youth empowerment and economic growth.
In a letter addressed to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Igberadja lauded the establishment and sustained support of the Delta State Technical and Vocational Education Board.
He acknowledged the foresight of the immediate past governor in laying a strong foundation for this board and praised the present administration’s unwavering dedication to overseeing technical colleges and skills acquisition programs.
“I am writing to express my highest commendation for the visionary leadership demonstrated by your administration in establishing and sustaining the Delta State Technical and Vocational Education Board.
This bold initiative has been instrumental in overseeing the technical colleges’ management and skills acquisition programs, showcasing your government’s commitment to empowering youths and driving economic growth.
The immediate past governor’s foresight in establishing this board has laid a strong foundation, and it is heartening to see the present administration’s unwavering support and dedication to this noble cause.
The board’s impact on promoting technical education, vocational training, and skills development is truly commendable.
This bold initiative has been instrumental in overseeing the technical colleges’ management and skills acquisition programs, showcasing your government’s commitment to empowering youths and driving economic growth.
As President of IVETA, a non-profit organization registered in the USA since 1984, dedicated to promoting and advancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) globally, especially in developing countries, I am impressed by Delta State’s commitment to TVET.
To further enhance the effectiveness of TVET programs, I humbly recommend:
1. Retraining TVET teachers and instructors to meet current technological advancements, ensuring they remain relevant and equipped to impart modern skills.
2. Establishing TVET bursary programs to encourage and support youths in pursuing TVET teaching careers, addressing the need for skilled educators.
3. Partnering contractors with TVET institutions to train youths on construction sites while implementing projects. By leveraging construction sites as training grounds, we can harness the potential of our youths and equip them with practical skills.
This initiative can be incorporated as part of the contracted companies’ corporate social responsibilities, fostering a win-win situation for all stakeholders.
These initiatives will strengthen the TVET ecosystem, benefiting students, industries, and the state’s economy. I applaud the government’s proactive stance in driving progress and look forward to seeing the continued growth and success of this initiative.
Please accept my sincerest appreciation for your outstanding leadership.”
Serumu Igberadja
President, International Vocational Education and Training Association (IVETA), USA
The Habeeb Okunola Foundation (HOF) transformed a standard community gathering into a powerful launchpad for female entrepreneurship in Brampton, Canada, on the 13th of March 2026, delivering a high-impact celebration of International Women’s Day 2026. Far beyond a ceremonial event, the foundation, in partnership with Make Mee Elegant Foundation, the City of Brampton, and The Salvation Army, orchestrated a comprehensive day of skill-building and recognition designed to create tangible economic change for local women.
At the heart of the initiative was an intensive hands-on training session held within the welcoming walls of The Salvation Army’s Brampton premises. The room buzzed with creative energy as women from the local community immersed themselves in learning practical, marketable crafts. Under the guidance of skilled instructors, they mastered the intricacies of crafting durable flip-flop slippers, the delicate art of cloth stoning to embellish fabrics, and the precise work of creating fancy key holders. The goal was clear: to provide these women with immediate, accessible tools to generate side income.
High Chief Dr Habeeb Olalekan Okunola, the founder of the foundation and President of CINI Holdings, who was represented by Mrs Kehinde Adelaja-Okoroafor was present to witness and coordinate the transformation firsthand. She articulated the driving philosophy behind the event, stating that for the founder of HOF, empowerment is the most meaningful expression of wealth. She further stressed that the objective was not just to teach a skill, but to ignite a transition, turning attendees from talented individuals into confident business owners who could leverage their newly acquired abilities to build sustainable livelihoods.
In a decisive move to bridge the gap between learning and earning, the foundation identified three exceptional students from the workshop and provided them with immediate start-up capital. This direct financial boost was met with visible joy and relief, ensuring that their newfound skills would not lie dormant but would instead be fueled into immediate entrepreneurial action.
The city’s leadership took significant notice of the foundation’s impactful work. His Worship, Mayor Patrick Brown, offered a ringing endorsement of HOF’s initiative, commending their choice to invest in Brampton’s women. He personally extended his gratitude to High Chief Okunola with an official letter of thanks, acknowledging the foundation’s exceptional contribution to the community and extending an invitation for a formal meeting in May 2026 to explore future avenues for partnership with the City of Brampton.
On the 14th of March momentum carried into the day with an awards ceremony, where the Deputy Mayor stood in for Mayor Brown to help spotlight the achievements of local heroines. The event honoured a selection of prominent Brampton women whose tireless efforts and significant impact have helped shape the community. This dual focus empowering the next wave of female entrepreneurs while celebrating established leaders perfectly encapsulated the shared mission of the Habeeb Okunola Foundation and Make Mee Elegant Foundation to champion the development and success of women at every stage of their journey. The event served as a powerful testament to what international collaboration and community-focused action can achieve in the pursuit of gender equality and economic empowerment.