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Sanwo-Olu tasks youths on talent development to curb unemployment

By Adaku Onyenucheya
06 April 2021   |   2:55 am
Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibironke Sanwo-Olu, has urged the youths to improve their skills and talents as critical drivers in addressing unemployment, poverty

[FILES] Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu. Photo: TWITTER/JOKESANWOOLU

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has urged the youths to improve their skills and talents as critical drivers in addressing unemployment, poverty, and other societal challenges in the country.

She gave the charge during a four-day Rotaract District 9110, Nigeria, 37th annual conference and convention tagged: “Emergence of New Trends”.

Sanwo-Olu said global warming, climate change, and pandemic had accelerated the need for youths to be involved in the decision-making process and finding solutions to prevailing challenges in the country and the world at large.

She said youths are placed to be the driving force of the rapid changes in society while urging them to embrace critical roles to create mechanisms for sustainable development across communities.

Sanwo-Olu further advised youths to evolve, think creatively, embrace innovation and be part of a society that serves humankind ultimately.

She further commended the Rotaract club for providing platforms to facilitate discussion on emerging social and economic issues, adding that it is a call for a close partnership with the government.

In his keynote address titled: ‘21st Century in Capacity Building, Professional Skills/Talent Development’, Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Lagos State, Olusegun Dawodu enjoined youths to acquire essential skills such as creativity and innovation, to improve their capacities to address needs and be solution providers.

He said professional skills and talents are critical drivers of society’s growth, adding that it would address issues of insecurity, unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, religious intolerance, and lack of basic social amenities among issues faced in the various communities.

Speaking on the topic: ‘The Youths and the Opportunities of the Present Time’, the Past District Governor, Rotary International District 9110, Nigeria, Dr. Adewale Ogunbadejo, said the youths must be vigilant and ready to adapt to changes in society.

He lamented the low participation of youths in agriculture and high involvement in cybercrime cultism, robbery, kidnapping, and drug addiction among other social vices.

Ogunbadejo, however, called on the youths to change the ugly trend and take advantage of the opportunities around them, adding that some young Nigerians have leveraged technology to develop solutions to solve the economic challenges of the country.

The Chairperson, District Rotaract Committee, Rotn. Tunde Ojo, said there was a need for the youths to equip themselves with essential skills that will make them relevant in the future.

He said the youths have to adapt and make use of the opportunities available in the COVID-19 era, while they redirect their energy to being productive.

Ojo further charged the youths to emulate young Nigerians that had made wave in the technology space.

He, however, added that the conference serves as a platform to sensitise and encourage the youths to engage in positive things and kick against negative vices.

Speaking earlier, the District Rotaract Representative, Rotn. Adedeji Windapo said the conference is critical in this time of the economy, as more youths are engaging in negative social vices.

He added that the youths were the future leaders, hence, the need to sensitise and redirect them to make use of opportunities around them in the different sectors to contribute to economic growth.

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