As the nations across the globe struggle with the adverse effects of the covid-19 pandemic, policy makers and stakeholders responsible for industrial training scheme in the country have been tasked to centre their training on how to face new and emerging challenges affecting the entire global productivity and economy generally. 

The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo gave threw the challenge, while delivering a lecture at the 2021 interactive forum for clients and stakeholders organised by the Industrial Training Fund( ITF), Abeokuta Area Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. 

Oluomo sought the need to embrace the new normal caused by the uncertainty that had followed the pandemic, which required the adoption of technology as so much anxiety had been created on the future careers of employers, whose jobs might be taken over by machines including technology controlled  robots and other ICT infrastructure. 

The Speaker stated that in adapting to the new normal, there was need to focus on adopting new technologies and protective supplies, self- care practices and appropriate capacity building and self –development, adding that it was important that how we respond could significantly affect our personal and social lives.  

Stressing that lessons inherent in the  pandemic could be leveraged on to build a better society, he tasked the participants to always strive towards winning in adversity with consideration for the new normal by exploring and taking advantage offer by the current realities which had brought to the front burner, the use of technology in overcoming difficult situation or conditions.

"Those who desire to win in adversity will always strive to jump hurdles and navigate around road blocks that could stop other completely, this is because with determination one would overcome by refusing to be overwhelmed with negative emotion and thoughts. 

Such individuals need to process what they have been through and they also resume moving forward, and also allow their mental fortitude lift them up to seek opportunities instead of allowing the vicissitude of life weigh them down", Olumo opined.

In her opening address, the Area Manager and Deputy Director, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Abeokuta Area Office, Mrs. Funmi Coker, explained that the forum was one of the several strategies of ITF to deliberate with stakeholders and clients, with a view to further interacting and networking for national human resources. 

According to her, the agency which was poised to providing training for skills in management for technical and entrepreneurial development in the public and private sectors of the economy, was presently empowering  105 indigenes of Ogun State spread across the three senatorial districts in vocations including catering, events planning, plumbing and pipe fitting.

"It is also based on our belief that until most Nigerians are equipped with competitive technical skills, we will, as a Nation continue to fight a losing battle against the blights of poverty and unemployment and their attendant consequences, which have manifested across the country in the form of kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and a host of other criminal acts and harmful social vices that are being perpetrated by Nigerians. 

Indeed, no rational analysis of our multiple security challenges will divorce unemployment and poverty from the needless incidences of violence that have claimed thousands of lives across the Nation. 

With our soaring population, there is the likelihood of these multiplying in years to come, leading to a situation where our burgeoning population that ordinarily should be considered a resource, may become a real albatross if we cannot create jobs and tackle the prevalent poverty", Mrs. Coker submitted.

An award of of excellence was later presented to Rt. Hon. Oluomo at the event, having distinguished himself in the areas of law making and his support to vocational and skill acquisition programmes and empowerment.