Entrepreneurship, needed skills to become job creators, global employees — Unilorin VC

Management of the University of Ilorin has said that the establishment of the Technical and Entrepreneurship Centre (TEC) in the university is aimed at equipping students with the requisite skills to become international employees and job creators.

Speaking at the grand finale of the maiden TEC-ASBE Innovation Summit in Ilorin on Tuesday, the vice-chancellor of the university, Professor Wahab Egbewole (SAN) said that the relationship between the Africa Support Bureau for Entrepreneurship (ASBE) and the university’s TEC would ultimately mould Africa entrepreneurs for global impact.

“Entrepreneurship development is the most cardinal of all the mandates of the Technical and Entrepreneurship Centre (TEC) and the Centre has maintained its commitment to this since its establishment 2022 and this made it easier for TEC to key into the mission and vision of Africa Support Bureau for Entrepreneurship (ASBE) which is to mould Africa entrepreneurs for global impact”.

The programme, tagged, TEC-ASBE Innovation Innovation Summit, with the theme, “Entrepreneurship in Higher Institutions and its implication for Africa’s Economic Development”, was organized by the TEC of the university in conjunction with six other African universities under the aegis of the ASBE, with intention to encourage entrepreneurship and reduce unemployment among graduates in Africa.

Also speaking, the wife of the Kwara state governor, Mrs. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, said that management of the nation’s universities must continue to motivate young minds to establish a business of their own amidst dwindling job opportunities in the continent

“I ask, of what value is education, if graduates of higher education institutions remain liabilities to African societies? Invariably, the theme of this summit underscores the solution to the imminent unemployment crisis Africa countries are currently battling”, she said.

The Kwara state First Lady, who was represented by Mr. Salahudeen Funso Abdulrazaq, described the summit as timely and critical for Africa’s economic resuscitation and exponential growth amidst varying socio-economic challenges.

“May I humbly applaud the theme of this international summit and the foresight of the organizers to nip in bud the amazing and abundant potential entrepreneurs amongst the teeming youths across the continent of Africa.

“There is no doubt that entrepreneur is significantly contributing to economic growth in most African countries while engendering countless job opportunities for rising unemployed graduates. Therefore, it is imperative to continue to motivate young minds to establish a business of their own amidst dwindling job opportunities in the continent

“It is the light of this however that the Ajike People Support Center (the Charity Initiative of Her Excellency) over the years engaged in empowering women and youths with vocational skills of their choice and empowering them with tools to practice their trade to complement the efforts of Government in bridging the unemployment gap”, she said.

In his speech, the Director, TEC of the University of Ilorin, Professor Usman Raheem, said that the TEC-ASBE innovation summit aimed to explore, appreciate, and inspire innovation in its many forms, recognizing the impact it has on shaping a progressive and dynamic future.