By: Sayo Alagbe
In a landmark move to strengthen practical education and youth empowerment, the Ogbomoso First Community Initiative (O’ First Group) on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, and formally handed over its Skills Acquisition Centre to the institution for a period of two years, free of charge.
The centre, located at Oke-Osuru within the O’ First Group Headquarters in Ogbomoso South Local Government Area, will be used to train students of the fast-rising Federal Polytechnic, Ayede in vocational and technical skills alongside their academic programmes.
The handover ceremony, which took place at the Sir Demola Dare-Williams Hall and arms of the centre, commenced at about 1:00 pm and was attended by prominent members of the O’ First Group and top management staff of the Polytechnic.
Present at the event were the President of the Ogbomoso First Group, Architect Sakiru Suara; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Otunba Bayo Babatunde; Board of Trustees member, Engineer Akinloye Oyekola; retired Commissioner of Police, Dejo Oyelowo; Group Secretary, Mr. Bayo Egunbiyi; and Professor Jide Ajao.
The Polytechnic delegation was led by the Rector, Engr. Dr.Taofeek Adekunle Abdul – Ahmeed FNSE accompanied by the Deputy Rector, Dr. Azeez Olasunkanmi Ojo; the Registrar, Mr. Akin Adesola, represented by Mr. G.K. Latinwo; the Librarian, Dr. Samuel Ogunniyi; and a representative of the Bursar, Alhaja Titilola, Mr. Sunday Adepoju, Acting Director, Centre for Information, Communication and Public Relations, Mr. Samson Oladejo among others.
Speaking at the ceremony, Architect Sakiru Suara expressed delight over the successful signing of the MoU and the formal handover of the Skills Acquisition Centre to the Polytechnic. He stressed that education without employable skills is incomplete, urging students to combine academic knowledge with vocational skills to achieve self-reliance and financial independence.
Drawing from his personal experience, Suara noted that his success was rooted in skills inherited from his father, a bricklayer who insisted he pursue university education in architecture. He explained that beyond formal training, practical skills had sustained his career, particularly in supervising large-scale construction projects.
He disclosed that the centre would offer training in tailoring, hairstyling and computer-based graphic design, stressing that modern skill acquisition without computer literacy was a “colossal waste.” Architect Suara further announced that the Group would, every two years, provide free equipment to the two best-performing trainees at the centre.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Otunba Bayo Babatunde, said the O’ First Group was conceived in 2009 by ten members with a vision to prioritize Ogbomoso’s development. According to him, the Group was established to promote education, employment, skills acquisition and to combat drug abuse and other social vices within the city. He expressed confidence that the Polytechnic would make judicious use of the facility.
Following the signing of the MoU by Architect Suara and the Polytechnic Rector, Dr. Abdulammed, the Rector commended the O’ First Group for its generosity and commitment to human capital development. He said the centre would equip students with additional skills that would enable them to be self-employed and less dependent on government jobs.
Reflecting on the history of the Polytechnic, the Rector noted that the institution, established in 2021, faced serious take-off challenges until the intervention of notable Ogbomoso sons, including Sir Olusegun Adekunle – Asipa of Ogbomosoland and Professor Sola Adepoju, Asiwaju of Ogbomosoland who introduced him to Architect Suara. He praised Suara for facilitating the rapid completion of the Administrative Centre, which enabled the Polytechnic to commence operations within six months.
Dr. Abdulammed assured that the Skills Acquisition Centre would be put to optimal use and appreciated the Soun of Ogbomosoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, for his consistent support and fatherly role in the growth of the institution.
In his closing remarks, Engineer Akinloye Oyekola reiterated that the vision of the Group’s founding fathers was to educate and empower the people of Ogbomoso. He highlighted several community interventions by the Group, including the distribution of free exercise books, motorcycles, hairdryers and clippers.
Delivering the vote of thanks, retired Commissioner of Police, Dejo Oyelowo, urged the trainees to maximize the opportunity provided by the centre, reminding them of the Group’s commitment to rewarding excellence with free equipment for outstanding trainees every two years.
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