Ogun LG boss tasks youths on self-employment schemes

MR Gbolade Oduwole, the Chairman, Ijebu-Ode Local Government Council, has advised youths to acquire vocational skills and embrace agriculture in order to be economically self-reliant in the face of unemployment.

Oduwole gave the advice at an event to mark the 2017 Youth Apprentice/Artisan Day organised by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Ijebu-Ode on Wednesday.

The chairman, represented by the Vice Chairman, Mr Adebisi Akinola, said the importance of acquisition of skills by the youths, particularly at this time could not be overemphasised.

He said that for Nigeria’s economy to thrive, especially the industrial sector, it must be diversified by encouraging youths to embrace entrepreneurial skills.

“Craftsmanship services are very important to the economy of any nation and this explains the reason why many technicians earn more than some university graduates because their services are always in demand.

“Years of experience make most of them indispensable because technicians have learnt to perfect their skills while the undergraduate was still in the university.

“Craftsmanship and skills development can take an individual to places he or she never imagined,” he said.

The council boss further advised that the youths should acquire vocational training along with their formal education in school.

He also urged the youths to be politically conscious in order for the social change desired in the country to be achieved under the democratic dispensation.

Also speaking at the event, the NYCN Coordinator, Mr Ahmed Abass, said that a skill acquired was a life asset which could help feed a person for the rest of his life.

“Rather than indulging in cybercrime or online theft while at home, we must make the extra effort for self-improvement through a skills impact programme.

“You will be better for it even if you end up practising your business from home because no authority can question you; so far what you’re doing is legitimate,” Abass said.

He, therefore, urged government and corporate bodies not to relent in providing avenues to engage youths positively.

According to him, this will help reduce crime rate and tackle unemployment on the long run.