Unemployment: Stakeholders In Epe Call For Drastic Action From Govt, Proffer Solutions

Stakeholders in the educational sectors and other aspect of the economy have raised alarm over Nigeria surging unemployment rate amid restless teeming youth.

The stakeholders expressed their concern over the state of the nation vis-à-vis the ramifications of restless teeming jobless youth on the country at an event organised by the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Epe Local Branch celebration this year’s World Youth Day.

The event which took place at the Council Chambers of Epe Local Government, Ita-Marun, Epe, on Saturday 7th November, 2020, was first of its kind.

The event which was themed ” Flattening The Curve of Unemployment: The Youth On Call” was aimed at beaming the searchlights on the threats of unemployment to the prosperity and survival of the Nigerian youth.

The occasion was graced by prominent figures from all walks of life, from renowned administrators to remarkable politicians and reputable career professionals and Government officials.

Notable among them are HON. Saliu Adeniyi, the executive Chairman of Eredo LCDA, Professor Nosiru Onibon, Provost, MOCPED, Barrister Sesan Ogundeko, Perm. Sec. Audit Service Commission, Prince Wale Salau, SLG Eredo LCDA, Hon. Tunde Subair, SLG, Epe Local Government, Dr. Abdulkareem Onakoya, Senior Research Scientist, Foresight Institute of Research and Translation, Ibadan, Oyo State and Mr. Tobi Idowu, The Executive Assistant to the Vice Chancellor, Lagos State university. Others include Mr. Bashir Hassan representing Hon. Wale Raji, Member, House of Representatives, Epe Federal Constituency, Alhaja Rasakat Tobun, Iya Adinni, Epe Central Mosque, Mrs. Iyabo Osifeso, Retired Principal and Former Board Member AOCOED Governing Council.

The guest speakers did justice to the theme of the day while they also proffered solutions to the myraid of problems surrounding youth unemployment.

Tobi Idowu, a young entrepreneur, made it known to participants that the days of “Jack of all trade is a master of none” are over based on the harsh socio-economic atmosphere in the country.

“Gone are the days when we were told “Jack of all trade is a master of none”. In Nigeria of today, one has to acquire more skills to survive. As I stand before you, I sew clothes in addition to my job. I can create a business brand in shoe making and make money. I won’t be the one to make the shoes, I will only ask for the customer’s design and outsource it to experts in the shoe making business.

He stressed the dire need for youths to acquire more “side hustle” while also studying. He noted that the modern day skills are necessary to beat youth unemployment.

While he noted that the role of youths in community development cannot be overemphasized as they are a major determinant of a nation’s socio economic development, Mr. Tobi admonished youths to be proactive and gave out tips that are capable of flattening the curve of unemployment.

” Our youths must be proactive and think outside the box. To flatten the curve of unemployment, youths must invest in both soft and hard skills, freelancing, networking, best use of social media, right mindset and attitude to work, political participation, mentorship, competence and the practice of knowledge based economy rather than certificate based economy”. He said..

Earlier, the Coordinator, Comrade Ladele Ismail, in his speech, emphasized the need for all stakeholders in the community, to embrace and support the noble cause of the NYCN Epe Branch, as his administration’s priority is solely based on youth advocacy and societal development.

The colorful event featured the flag off of the NYCN Epe Branch Youth Enterprise Project, tagged “Skill All”. This is a vocational training aimed at training and retraining Epe youths on sustainable skills capable of setting them on the path of economic independence and by extension, assist in drastic reduction of the hydra headed monster called youth unemployment.

By the same token, Alhaja Rasakat Tobun, the Mother of the Day, effected the flag off with prayers and financial donations to support the project. She appealed to youths to embrace vocational training. She also admonished them to agitate reasonably as she is fully in support of their agitations to end bad governance and police brutality, noting that there is no need to endanger lives in the process.

” I thank the organizers of this programme, you have all done well. Vocational training is very important. My daughter who finished from Law Schools got herself trained in a vocation. It is my prayers that you all excel in your chosen vocation. I hereby use this medium to appeal to our youths to “be calming down” when agitating. I am in support of your resolve to end bad governance and police brutality but we don’t need to lose lives and properties in the process”, she averred.