From Walter Uraegbu, Abuja
The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nigerian Export Promotion Council, (NEPC) Dr. Ezra Yakusak, said over dependent on oil have precipitated the need to diversify the Nigerian economy through the export of goods and services.
Yakusak dropped this hint yesterday during the opening ceremony of football Talent Hunt organised by the NEPC in collaboration with GP777 Football Academy. According to him. ‘’ Services are one of the Non-oil expert sectors that have significantly contributed to the economic growth and development of Nigeria”.
He revealed that few months ago the NEPC initiated the youth for Export programme, explaining that the programme was designed to address the challenges of youth restiveness by encouraging youth participation in the non-oil export value chain as part of the council’s Export for survival campaign.
Dr Yakusak further explained that it was designed to empower young Nigerians by providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge to engage in export activities. On the football talent hunt, the NEPC Chief Executive explained that it is one of the strategies adopted to mainstream the youths in export activities through the youth for Export Programme. ‘’Football is the most popular sport in Nigeria and has become a significant source of national pride. Our country has produced some of the most talented and successful football players in the world, he said.
He added that the initiation of the nationwide football talent hunt programme is to identify and develop young footballers with exceptional skills and nurture them to become word class players.
However, to reap the benefits of the Programme the Executive Director said the organisation will be partnering with various stakeholders within and outside the country, including football Clubs, coaches and talent scouts explaining that they have scouts and directors of clubs from different European countries.
We shall be working closely with local Communities to ensure that NEPC reach as many young people as possible. We hope to introduce successful players to ‘’showcase’’ the event in Cairo Egypt.
Dr Yakusak stated that the event is scheduled for the first week of August 2023 describing it as a great opportunity for young talented footballers around the world to showcase their skills to professional Spanish clubs in a bid to sign football contracts with the clubs.
The initiatives by NEPC in collaboration with private sector concerns are aimed at complementing the present administrations policy of ensuring youth empowerment at all levels, which will ultimately translate to job or wealth creation and increase GDP.