Gbenga Olayinka, a private school proprietor in Ilorin, has advised students to combine formal education with vocational skills for their future development.

Mr Olayinka, who gave the advice in Ilorin on Saturday in an interview, said students should learn vocational skills to add value to themselves.

He noted that the rate of unemployment in the country was high because most graduates lack vocational skills to be self dependent.

“There is nothing bad in combining vocational skills so as not to continue to wait for white collar job after graduation.

“With vocational skills, you can start independently without waiting for government or private employers to call you.

“It is to your advantage to learn pottery, carpentry work, plumber, fashion design, cosmetology and other vocational skills to be self employed and start a new life rather than waiting for a government slot,” he said.

The educationist however advised students to enrol for vocational skills and stop discriminating and underating technical schools.

He also called on the government at all levels to invest in vocational centres and technical schools to help reduce the rate of employment in the country.

(NAN)