By Rasak Musbau
Technology and innovation have been identified as key tools for securing job opportunity in the digitized world.
Sub Dean, School of Engineering, Yaba College of Technology, (YABATECH) Dr Mos’ud Taiwo Ajala restated that technology and innovation were inevitable indices, capable of solving the challenges associated with unemployment.
Ajala made the assertions Sunday while delivering lecture on the theme of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta Muslim Alumni (MAPAMA), 2022 National Convention and 20th Anniversary – “Creativity and Innovation: Tools For Resolving Economic Crises in Nigeria, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital city, south west Nigeria.
Ajala, who represented the guest Speaker, Prof. Musa Abiodun Aibinu, the Vice Chancellor, Summit University, Offa, Kwara State, North Central Nigeria, bemoaned the high rate of unemployment in the country and discouraging position of Nigeria in the global innovation ranking.
He lamented that there are over 21 million unemployed young people aged between 15 and 34 having the highest unemployment rate.
According to Dr. Ajala, over 2.9 million of unemployed Nigerians hold graduate or post graduate degrees from tertiary institutions, adding that the challenges of unemployment and employability problem in the country would be solved, only if creativity and innovation are embraced.
He disclosed that Nigeria ranked 114 out of 132 in the global innovation ranking, noting that the disturbing trend was a proof that output from several agencies, responsible for promoting innovation and creativity in the country has not yielded significant result.
To change the narrative, Ajala called for synergy between tertiary academics and industries.
His words: “there are various benefits from having a strong Acado-Industrial Synergy in Nigeria, which include – driving the technology needs of the country, for societal transformation, solving societal problems, economic transformation and increasing creativity.”
Earlier, the MAPAMA National President, Prince Taofeek Oyeniyi pointed out that no country could grow economically without advanced mindsets from its people, stressing that in keeping with the tradition of the organisation, the theme of the year’s Convention, seeks to generate great ideas that unleashed “our potential and how to translate these creative ideas into viable solution that will in a way disrupt and adapt and create new great ideas” which are increasingly important in today’s ever-changing world.
Oyeniyi advised that graduates should start thinking outside the box in finding solutions to the socio-economic nation’s woe, rather than lamenting and despising the country, adding that entrepreneurship remained the best approach to addressing the challenges of unemployment in the country.
The President recalled that MAPAMA conceived and started the construction of multimillion Naira, 60 seat capacity Ablution cum Convenience Centre each, at the male and female sections of the MAPOLY Mosque to serve the institution’s Muslim Community and Muslims in its environ.
This project, Oyeniyi indicated is currently at the finishing stage, but still requires the sum of ₦11 million to complete it.
Dignitaries at the convention included: the Ogun State Deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, represented by Alhaja Monsurat Ajibola Olaleye, MAPOLY former Rector and Chairman, MAPAMA BOT, Tpl. Waheed Kadiri, FNITP, Chairman of MAPOLY Muslim community and representative of MAPOLY Rector and Chairman Mr. Hambali Olalekan Oseni, and renowned Comparative Islamic scholar, Dr. Daud Amoo Alaga, Alhaji AbdulRahman Balogun, who held brief for the Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Isiaka Jide Lawal, the General Manager, Eko FM and several others.
