Nigerian youths have been advised to develop entrepreneurial skills to earn more resources to escape effects of the prevailing economic recession.
The Lagos State former Commissioner of Finance, Mrs Foluke Abdul-Razaq gave the advice at a leadership Summit organized by Sarah Adebisi Sosan (SAS) Foundation.
Abdul-Razaq who also Chair the event stressed the need to empower youths through quality education.
She charged Nigerian youths to live above the present level of hardship in the country by exploring positive ways to earn a living and shun violence behaviours.
Abdul-Razaq disclosed that provision of basic education is the first step in empowerment.
This she said helps youths to influence values in the community.
According to her, the knowledge acquired would also assist to develop values and morals towards building a better nation.
The Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Lanre Ogunyemi, said youths must be able to think out of the box.
This Ogunyemi said is important to survive the recession.
He described the summit as a platform the youths can take advantage of building confidence in themselves.
Ogunyemi said, “Most of our youths are roaming the streets unemployed with their certificates; we must understand that everyone cannot be employed by government. The Asian tigers grew out of small scale industries, if we have small scale industries amongst our youths with great ideas that can be supported by government and corporate bodies, Nigeria would be a better place.”
On his part, the Lagos Regional Head, Bank of Industry (BoI), Obaro Osah said Nigerian youths needs to redirect their focus to value creation.
He stated that every youth has the right to solicit for fund in that regard.
He said the BoI has been playing critical role in providing grounds for small businesses financing.
Osah explained that BoI helps entrepreneurs acquire technology to facilitate their businesses.
Earlier in her remarks, Founder, SAS foundation, Sarah Sosan said the summit was organised to empower youths and the girl child in particular.
The foundation seeks to inspire youths with relevant information and access to facilities that would make them self-independent.
Considering the kind of education we get in the country, she noted that there are still gaps in the system and these are the gaps the foundation is trying to fill by facilitating the youths to get access to information and where they can get finances.
Besides, she explained that the summit is not a political gathering stating that the summit was spurred out of passion to develop youths, adding, “I take a lot of delight when I see our youths breaking grounds.”
Speaking on the effect of recession on youths’ development, she said: “I know times are hard, many of the youths may not know which way to go. They should not lose hope. What is happening in the country is just for a time, things will improve if we all obey and key in to the policies of government. They policies might be too stringent but it is for the betterment of everyone.”
She disclosed that the foundation has a sustainability structure which is in tandem with Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to strengthen youth empowerment schemes.
