Experts proffer empowerment, development to stem unemployment

Industry experts and stakeholders have insisted on self-actualisation as the surest way to raise empowered and confident youths, stir creativity and innovation which would reduce crime, unemployment and poverty.

Hosting the eight edition of its annual Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) recently, the Rose of Sharon Foundation (ROSF), offered the opportunity for the youths to learn the process of becoming the best version of themselves by identifying and harnessing their individual and innate abilities to enable them create, innovate, have an edge and stand out in their socioeconomic engagements for the long term.

YEP is the foundation’s career development and capacity building programme for graduates, job seekers, working-class and self-employed youths.

Hosted by the founder, Apostle Folorunso Alakija and anchored by Dr. Ndudi Bowei, Country Manager, ROSF, facilitators at the programme included leadership and value-based people development expert and CEO, Verbatim Communications Limited, Bidemi Mark-Mordi; Resident Pastor and National Superintendent, KICC Nigeria, Femi Faseru and Managing Director, Tom Associates Limited, Temitope Jegede.

The hybrid programme had undergraduates, fresh graduates, job seekers, self-employed and working-class youths in attendance from across the country.

Drawing from Abraham Maslow and Kim Egel’s definition of self-actualisation, Alakija, in her opening address, encouraged the youths to harness their innate abilities to reach their full potential and achieve purpose and fulfillment, which are the pillars for socioeconomic sustainability and survival.

She motivated the youths to get educated, learn a trade, discover what they are wired for, and harness their innate abilities, pursue what they are good at and improve their skills.

She added that government must provide conducive atmosphere for citizens to create, innovate and flourish; create and enforce policies that would encourage investors and investment in the country, maintain law and order, provide good infrastructure, direct and indirect employment, social amenities and education.

While speaking to undergraduates, fresh graduates and job seekers at the programme on “Identifying and Connecting the Dots for Youth Survival”, Mark-Mordi, stated that youths are society’s greatest resource and advantage as the future of any nation is her youths whilst encouraging youths to adopt the principle of best use which is measured by the impact it makes. Speaking on “Building on the existing Blocks as a Springboard for Self-Fulfilment” to the working-class category of youths present, Jegede educated them on the five building blocks for self-fulfillment in the workplace, which includes; having a personal vision, investing in spirituality, relationship (treating people with respect), self- improvement and making a social contribution.

Speaking on “Creating an Edge in the Market Place”, while addressing the self-employed and entrepreneurs category of youth participants at the event, Pastor Faseru advised on the 7Ds of being self-employed, which are Dream (having a dream for your product), Desire, Drive (self-motivation), Determination (going the extra mile), Difference (being comfortable in your uniqueness), Discipline and Dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s (being thorough).

Dr. Bowei encouraged the youths to go back and practice what they learned and begin to seek to utilise their specifics for innovative work.