Al Makura wants entrepreneurial education taught in schools

GOVERNOR Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has called for entrepreneurial education to be compulsory in tertiary institutions to create job opportunities and reduce unemployment in the country amongst the youths.

The governor, who made the called while delivering a key note address at the public presentation and launch of a research documents by the Nigerian Academy of Science in Lafia yesterday, said young people at tertiary level should be given compulsory skill acquisition education amid concerns over the high rate of unemployment in the country.

He noted that the introduction of the subjects into the curriculums of tertiary institutions would boost the knowledge base of graduates, offer them skills and provide them choices of creating employment for themselves rather than waiting for white collar jobs.

“Rather than wait for government for employment, if it comes, fine but if not such graduate can survive on the skills he has learn while in school,” he said.

He further disclosed that his administration within a short period would liaise with concerned institutions to ensure that entrepreneurial subjects become compulsory in all tertiary institutions in the state.

“We want to ensure that entrepreneurial skills are rooted in our tertiary institutions. By that I mean that virtually all the tertiary institutions will accommodate the recommendations of the document in their curriculum studies.”

The governor then commended the Nigerian Academy of Sciences for the research documents noting that it would no doubt have significant impact in the educational development of the state.

In his remarks, President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Professor Oyewale Tomori thanked the state government for partnering with the academy and assured that they will be available to the state government in other areas of partnership.

Also speaking at the occasion, Professor Ekanem Braide, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia and the Liaison Officer of the Nigerian Academy of Science described Nasarawa State as privileged to be one of the pilot states in the implementation of the Academy’s strategic plan.