‘Rising unemployment, a national security risk’

For the nation to significantly alleviate poverty and reduce the spate of insecurity, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, (CIPM) has stressed the need for Nigerian youth to identify their skills and take due advantages in the economy.

President and Chairman, CIPM, Anthony Arabome, who stated this at the Career and Entrepreneurship Fair 2016, in Lagos said “the level of unemployment poses a serious national security risk that requires the urgent attention of all stakeholders as it is generally recognized that a vibrant population that is not productively engaged might divert its energy towards criminal and other unsociable activities to the detriment of the society”,

Arabome said the fair was a veritable platform for potential entrepreneurs and job seekers to access information, opportunities and resources to start small businesses, become self-employed and create more jobs.
The forth edition of the fair which was also an opportunity for jobseekers to network, make new friends and more importantly, connect with employers to learn about opportunities and what skills they are seeking for.

Arabome said: “Government alone cannot address the grinding unemployment situation in the country; we need all hands on deck and the involvement of every stakeholder in the Nigerian project, so that our future would not be jeopardized. We should all rise up to the lingering situation and proffer solutions within our available resources.”

According to him, youths in the country are very creative but need to make ample use of situations around them to achieve their hidden potentials.

Arabome said the unemployed and budding entrepreneurs can pick up success nuggets from successful business people in self and paid employment; access information, resources and job opportunities available in a formal gathering, noting that employers as well can disseminate information to their target audience, about career prospects available within the different sectors and ensure that talents and skills are matched with available openings for the needed productivity and sustainable national development.

He urged participants at the fair to make proper and adequate use of the forum to develop their skills rather than, looking for white-collar jobs.

The guest speaker, Lanre Olusola who spoke on the theme; “Owning your future,” said the only way to own your future is to own your presence, and never forget that the power you have is not the next minute, because you don’t know what it requires.

He urged youths to never relent in their quest to achieve greatness because missing it at the present might be quite difficult to meet up with back in life”.

He identified different skills that must be possessed in order to own future to include, living for purpose, vision, positive mental attitudes, boldness, focus, knowledgeable, dedicated, and determination.

Olusola said to live for purpose will help to define your worth even among other business owners in order to stand out of many.

Besides, he said an entrepreneur don’t run away from problems because in solving problems lies the riches to wealth.

According to him, most job owners seek for visionary employee in order to move the vision of the organisation forward adding that having positive mental attitudes towards things helps develop thoughts and emotions.

Olusola explained that a knowledgeable person would have time to think on how and when to take the necessary steps to take before embarking on it.

Admonishing the participants to always remain focus in their dealing, he said, “dedication to what you know how to do best will end up bringing one good results needed in your endeavors”.