HON. SALIU ADENIYI- GOVERNMENT MUST PROVIDE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUTHS TO THRIVE, SAYS YOUTHS MUST STOP "ENTITTLEMENT" SYNDROME.
MR. IDOWU TOBI- GONE ARE DAYS WHEN JACK OF ALL TRADES IS A MASTER OF NONE.
The National Youth Council of Nigeria, Epe Local Branch celebrated this year's World Youth Day in style. The maiden edition of the celebration which took place at the Council Chambers of Epe Local Government, Ita-Marun, Epe, on Saturday 7th November, 2020, beamed its searchlight on the threats of unemployment to the prosperity and survival of the Nigerian youth. Tagged " Flattening The Curve of Unemployment: The Youth On Call" , the challenges of youth unemployment were thoroughly x-rayed by guest speakers with a bid to finding lasting solutions.
The historic occasion which is the first of its kind, featured renowned speakers, career professionals and Government officials. Notable among them are HON. Saliu Adeniyi, the executive Chairman of Eredo LCDA, Professor Nosiru Onibon, Provost, MOCPED, Barrister Sesan Ogundeko, Perm. Sec. Audit Service Commission, Prince Wale Salau, SLG Eredo LCDA, Hon. Tunde Subair, SLG, Epe Local Government, Dr. Abdulkareem Onakoya, Senior Research Scientist, Foresight Institute of Research and Translation, Ibadan, Oyo State and Mr. Tobi Idowu, The Executive Assistant to the Vice Chancellor, Lagos State university. Others include Mr. Bashir Hassan representing Hon. Wale Raji, Member, House of Representatives, Epe Federal Constituency, Alhaja Rasakat Tobun, Iya Adinni, Epe Central Mosque, Mrs. Iyabo Osifeso, Retired Principal and Former Board Member AOCOED Governing Council.
Undoubtedly, guest speakers did justice to the theme of the day while they also proffered solutions to the myraid of problems surrounding youth unemployment.
Hon. Adeniyi Saliu in his lecture stated that Nigeria is the largest employer of labour compared to what is obtainable in other climes, shores beyond Africa to be precise. He noted that government in other climes makes adequate provision to create an enabling environment for business such as MSMEs, to thrive. This in turn reduce unemployment burden on government as youths create jobs and thereby expand to become employers of labour. This he said, is lacking in the Nigerian nation.
The Eredo LCDA technocrat also noted the many factors contributing to youth unemployment some of which include over reliance on Government jobs, political instability, weak public institutions, poor data planning amongst others.
He further averred that, as youths, it is germane to be well grounded in their various career paths, acquire vocational skills, eschew entittlement syndrome and be watchful of their attitude and manners of approaching issues in order to attain success.
" Nigeria is the largest employer of labour and it is important that government provide an enabling environment for businesses ( MSMEs) to thrive. I am sure nobody saw COVID pandemic and Endsars protests coming, these incidents to a large extent distabilized governance.
It is quite unfortunate that worst leaders are brought to lead thereby promoting mediocrity in governance.
Our youths also have serious issues with incompetence, cultism and "entittlement" syndrome which must all be curbed", he said.
Amongst other things, Hon. Saliu thereby opined that the Office of Civic Engagement, Youths and Sports Ministry and Wealth Creation in Lagos State should as a matter of urgency continually engage youths in the State so as to flatten the curve of unemployment.
Mr. Tobi Idowu, a young, eloquent and intellectually sagacious gentle man also proved his mettle while delivering his lecture. The young entrepreneur made it known to participants that the days of "Jack of all trade is a master of none" are over based on the harsh socio-economic atmosphere in the country.
"Gone are the days when we were told "Jack of all trade is a master of none". In Nigeria of today, one has to acquire more skills to survive. As I stand before you, I sew clothes in addition to my job. I can create a business brand in shoe making and make money. I won't be the one to make the shoes, I will only ask for the customer's design and outsource it to experts in the shoe making business.
NYCN Epe Coordinator, Comrade Ladele Ismail, addressing the gathering.
Mr. Idowu stressed the dire need for youths to acquire more skills as "side hustle" while also studying. He noted that the modern day skills are neccessary to beat youth unemployment.
While he noted that the role of youths in community development cannot be overemphasized as they are a major determinant of a nation's socio economic development, Mr. Tobi admonished youths to be proactive and gave out tips that are capable of flattening the curve of unemployment.
" Our youths must be proactive and think outside the box. To flatten the curve of unemployment, youths must invest in both soft and hard skills, freelancing, networking, best use of social media, right mindset and attitude to work, political participation, mentorship, competence and the practice of knowledge based economy rather than certificate based economy". He said.
The event which was moderated by young and vibrant Eco Ambassador and Educator, Kaka Babatunde, recorded an unprecedented level of turn out. A short musical interlude from a duo of young and upcoming musical artists who thrilled the audience. The injection of the performance was no doubt effective in getting the audience relaxed and entertained.
Earlier, the Coordinator, Comrade Ladele Ismail, in his speech, emphasized the need for all stakeholders in the community, to embrace and support the noble cause of the NYCN Epe Branch, as his administration's priority is solely based on youth advocacy and societal development.
The colorful event featured the flag off of the NYCN Epe Branch Youth Enterprise Project, tagged "Skill All". This is a vocational training aimed at training and retraining Epe youths on sustainable skills capable of setting them on the path of economic independence and by extension, assist in drastic reduction of the hydra headed monster called youth unemployment.
It is worthy to note that Alhaja Rasakat Tobun, the Mother of the Day, effected the flag off with prayers and financial donations to support the project. She appealed to youths to embrace vocational training. She also admonished them to agitate reasonably as she is fully in support of their agitations to end bad governance and police brutality, noting that there is no need to endanger lives in the process.
" I thank the organizers of this programme, you have all done well. Vocational training is very important. My daughter who finished from Law Schools got herself trained in a vocation. It is my prayers that you all excel in your chosen vocation. I hereby use this medium to appeal to our youths to "be calming down" when agitating. I am in support of your resolve to end bad governance and police brutality but we don't need to lose lives and properties in the process", she averred.
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