Tosin Areo.
The Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) has
argued for educational empowerment of youths so that they would become useful
citizens and not nuisance the nation.
The Managing Director of Collageo Communications Engr.
Femi Olaniyan, while addressing the students on being innovation buttressed the
need for them to spin up the creative potential in them.
The guest speaker who spoke on mentoring identified
the major drive for entrepreneur as innovation, which will make students more
conscious of the fact that they can look at the environment and come up with
ideas that can solve the problem of the society. There will always be
challenges if you fail to aspire to solve those problems as leaders of
tomorrow.
He said the exhibition is timely since they are
graduating students and it serves as economy advocacy that would enable them to
start their own business and help others discover their talent, be open to new
ideas, take risk; failure is the best teacher, sort for information instead of
waiting for white collar jobs.
He expressed belief that Nigerian youth will be able
to contribute meaningfully to the country and international community when
armed with innovative skills.
‘These innovative skills should be utilized to boost
our economy and the growth of this nation depends on you. You hold the key to
the survival and lasting development of any nation. And should remain positive
as change starts from positive thinking.’ he added.
Lauding the effort of the HND II students, Head of
Department, General Studies; Dele Omojuyigbe encouraged them to improve on what
they have done, and those that have not lay their hands on any skill should
start now and do not wait till they graduate.
He stressed that the institution is determined to
produce a new generation of work force and leaders that were skillful, honest,
and highly self-disciplined to tackle corruption and unemployment in the
country.
In his words, ‘It is alarming and distressing to
note however that 60 million youths in Nigeria that could have contributed to
the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and eradicate poverty are unemployed.
Speaking on the relevance of entrepreneurship and
youth empowerment, he said, it will eradicate poverty, reduce dependency, encourage
self employment, reduce the strain on white collar job and enhance national
growth.
‘With this, graduate of this Institute can be
engaged in something while waiting for their service and even after.’
In the same vein, the Institute’s entrepreneurship
lecturer, Mrs. Bisi Bamishe said the notion that vocational training was meant
for school dropouts should be erased because students, graduates, young people,
housewives, and retirees are making a living from it.
According to her, the hardship encountered by
graduates, who are unable to secure jobs, made the National Board of Technical
Education (NBTE) initiate the course in tertiary institutions. She said the
exhibition was worthwhile and indeed a good experience for the institution.
Here, we help students discover their skills and those that do not have one can
learn from others.
‘As you can see what we have different groups with
different presentations; some did Ankara bags, adire waist coat, decorative
broom vase, face caps and face towel, biros, hair cream, shopping bags,’ she
added.’
An HND II student, Okorodudu Mildred expressed her
gratitude to the institution for giving her the opportunity to showcase her
entrepreneurial skill.
‘I am already in the business. I can do anything
with the Ankara fabric and with this, my colleagues have also learnt from me. I
have a big dream and intend going further.’ She added.
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