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From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
A youth leader, Hon Ayodeji Ogunbusuyi, Personal Assistant to Prophet Sam Olu-Alo, the Planter of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Adamimogo Grace Of Mercy Prayer Mountain Worldwide, has identified skills acquisition as a veritable tool for tackling the rising unemployment and poverty in the country.
Ogunbusuyi who pointed out this at an empowerment programme organised by Ido Youth Vanguard in Ido Ekiti, headquarters of Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State, maintained that white-collar jobs are no longer available in the country, calling on youths to acquire vocational skills to be self-reliant and independent.
He remarked that the number of graduates produced every year by tertiary institutions in the country is far higher than the available jobs from both the government and private establishments, hence the need for them to learn at least a skill as an additional qualification for a secured future.
Delivering his keynote address, titled: “Skills and Services: An Effective Tool for Economic Prosperity”, Ogunbusuyi said, “Skills acquisition is the ability to be trained on a particular task or function and then become an expert or professional in it.
“Skills acquisition has been described as a veritable tool for eradicating extreme poverty, and hunger and providing avenues for wealth creation and self-sufficiency.
“Skill is very important in the life of any human being that desires to be great in life because it serves as a catalyst for prosperity and financial freedom which can take you to places you do not expect that you can reach in life.
“The fact remains that everybody cannot be employed by the government and not every educated person can work with their certificates because the rate of graduates that we are producing in Nigeria is far higher than the available jobs both from the government and the private sectors put together.
“Therefore, getting a skill will change and improve the lives of those who cannot be employed by the government and the private establishments.
“Numerous skills abound in which you as a youth can take interest in and learn, skills like photography, graphic design, furniture making, pop making, painting, solar installation, web design, hairdressing, make-up, tailoring, digital marketing to mention few.
“These are skills that can make you richer than some of the government workers earning legitimate money. Some skills are flexible in nature and can be done on our smartphones without much stress.
“I think the problem most of us have as Nigerian youths is the poor mentality of basing our survival on securing white-collar jobs or getting rich quick syndrome which makes some youths cut corners to wealth or engage in criminal activities in the name of surviving harsh economic conditions.
“It is very disheartening today to see many graduates in the country who are still jobless or unemployed because they lack skills or they don’t even think towards acquiring skills that can transform their lives, they don’t know that there are some services that you can offer to people or firms that can lead to a lifetime change to prosperity.
“Being a graduate does not stop one from acquiring skills because paper qualification most times is not a guarantee to a prosperous life in Nigeria, hence, the need to get skills as additional qualification for a secured and guaranteed future.”
Counselling those who had acquired skills already, he said: “Believe in your ability and your acquired skills that these can take you to any place that you want in life; Do not be lazy on your job, imbibe the spirit of hard work because it will bring good fortunes to you at the appointed time; Upgrading of your skills at the appropriate time is very essential because we are in changing world where technology/new innovations evolve on daily basis, therefore you need to be in conformity with modernity at all times; Be honest in your dealings because it will be your selling point that will attract patronage to your business or work; Always maintain good relationships with your clients so as to entice better connections that will lift you up in life.
“Although, money is good and very crucial to one’s survival first build your name and identity as this will go a long way in connecting you to more job offers; Try as much as possible to put in a touch of professionalism in the delivery of your services by packaging your brand or products in attractive manners; Let people know about what you do in terms of publicity. Don’t just close your mouth and believe that patronage will come, advertise yourself and your products/services.
“For those using smartphones, let your social media handles talk much about your products and services rather than engaging in frivolous activities online; and in whatever you find your hands doing, always put God first for directions that will bring great success for you.”
Present at the event included, Chairman of the Event: Otunba Tunde Fasanmi, the Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti and Chairman of Council of Traditional Rulers, Ekiti State, Oba (Capt) Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro, represented by High Chief Kester Layokun, the Saade of Ido-Ekiti, Guest Speakers: Engr. Dr JMO Ekundayo Special Adviser to the Ekiti State Governor and D.G. Office of Transformation and Service Delivery, Ekiti State, Hon Dr Sola Ogunsina, Chairman, Ido Progressive Association and former Chairman Ido/Osi LG, Hon Olurotimi Afolabi, Chairman Ido Development Council and SSA to the Ekiti State Governor on Local Government Affairs and President of Ido Youth Vanguard, Elder Sogo Ajibulu, among others.
