An author’s efforts to promote entrepreneurship among students

WITH the fact that there are few jobs available for Nigerian youths, an author, Prince Abiodun Lufadeju, has taken it upon himself to empower school children with the requisite knowledge on what money is, as well as how to generate income.

Prince Lufadeju, who had earlier publish a book, From School to Work, targeted at students of tertiary institutions, has now delved into the foundation with the publication of books targeted at pupils and students in primary and secondary schools.

The essence of this is that once these young ones, at the early stage, are able to grab the idea behind money and how it is generated, then it will help reduce the high rate of unemployment in the country when they are ready for the world of work.

Recently, Prince Lufadeju presented the books, WorkTeck for Primary Schools (Primary 4-6) and WorkTeck for Secondary Schools (JSS 1-3) and (SS1 to 3), to members of the public, including members of the Oyo State chapter of the National Association of Proprietors of Primary Schools (NAPPS).

Speaking during the presentation, Prince Lufadeju said the first assignment of the book is to correct the notion in the minds of people that to earn money, one must go to school and after graduation, one will now be taking one’s certificate about in search of job opportunities.

He said: “To earn money, one must be engaged in any activity that is allowed by law; that is ethical and moral, and one needs the mental, physical, spiritual or special abilities to achieve.”

Prince Lufadeju said among those who use their mental abilities are those in the technological or finance fields, who use their mental abilities in the discharge of their duties, why those who use the physical abilties are well-diggers, among others.

“Those who use their spiritual abilities are the pastors, Islamic clerics or traditional priests, while the footballers, basketballers, among other sports persons use their special abilities.

“So our children must realise that it is not after they graduate from universities and start applying for job opportunities that they can generate income.

“Therefore, the whole idea of this book is to change the orientation of our children now so that in the future, they can rely less on searching for job opportunities and work to create their own income.”

While also speaking on the occasion, the immediate past vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, commended the author for the efforts, just as he admitted that the earlier youths realise that job opportunities are getting thinner by the day, the better for them.

Professor Olayinka said when he was vice chancellor, his administration partnered with the author to change the orientation of students on entrepreneurship, “and I am glad with what we were able to achieve.

“The world is now more competitive and Prof Wole Soyinka one needs to be creative and innovative in order to thrive during this period, and this is what Prince Lufadeju is doing.

“I want to state that it is good to be gainfully employed, but if one is entrepreneurial, one will be better off at the end of the day,” Professor Olayinka said.

Also, the director of the university’s entrepreneurial studies, Professor Oyejobi Arulogun, said the most important thing about entrepreneurship is adding value to what one does.

“Why is it that when we visit a hospital,there is a particular doctor we all want to see; or in a school, there is a particular teacher we want to be in his/her class?

“What such people are doing is that they are doing things differently, meaning they are adding value, so entrepreneurship is about adding value and being different.”

The new chairman of NAPPS in the state, Dr Mary Odedare, in her remarks, commended the author for his efforts.

She said: “This is what is lacking in schools today and we are glad that Prince Lufadeju has been able to bridge that gap.”