Fashola,others tables unemployment of youth

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola,
captains of industries, non-governmental
organisations, public servants, graduates,
undergraduates, pupils and ex-pupils of
technical colleges in the state, have met to
brainstorm on how to create jobs for
millions of unemployed youths in Nigeria.

The event, which held recently at the
Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association
complex, Ikeja, was also used to unveil the
Lagos Enterprise Day, a yearly gathering
designed to create wealth and groom the
next generation of business leaders in the
country.
They all agreed that there was a need to
put an end to the country's youth
unemployment.

Fashola said oil boom had been the spoke
in the wheel of entrepreneurs
development, adding that it had
undermined the country's economic
growth.
He said, "That was before. Now, there is a
policy redirection, which places emphasis
on technical and vocational education with
the aim of developing human capital.

"Unfortunately, the country is losing jobs
to technicians and artisans from Ghana,
Togo and Benin Republic, among others. A
report said this is costing Nigeria about
N960bn annually."

The governor said his administration had
started a new programme, which he said,
aimed at taking youths from the roads and
highways to the right places.

Fashola said, "There are job opportunities
in the country. But that does not mean
there is no unemployment.

Unemployment
is a huge challenge. But there is under-
employment too. What I am saying is that
we need to concentrate on areas we have
not really exploited. Our educational
institutions are not equipped enough to
produce graduates who can take up
available jobs, especially those in the areas
of new skills."

Executive Secretary of the Lagos State
Technical and Vocational Education Board,
Mr. Olawumi Gasper, said there was a need
for robust technical and vocational
education in the country. He added that the
government was re-aligning technical
colleges and vocational centres to highlight
the importance of entrepreneurship and
capacity building.

Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry,
Mr. Oluseye Oladejo, said the government's
innovations would make life more
meaningful for the residents at large.
Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka
Oladunjoye, said the inauguration of Lagos
Enterprise Day would give confidence to
students in understanding how businesses
were run and boost flexibility required in
building a sustainable business.

A director in the Industrial Training Fund,
Mrs. Helen Jemirigbe, who spoke for NECA,
commended the state government for its
achievement in the area of technical and
vocational education.

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