Billy Willy, Gombe
The Executive Director of Advocacy Centre for Development, Gombe, Ibrahim Yusuf says youth unemployment in Nigeria can be drastically reduced if there is the political will to do so by the leadership.
Ibrahim stated this shortly after the graduation ceremony of 100 participants of a one Month long vacation training organised by the Centre (AC4D) in collaboration with the Science Village Gombe held at the Science Village premises.
Experts say Youth unemployment in Nigeria is currently growing into an explosive level if drastic efforts are not put in place to address the emerging danger.
However, Ibrahim expressed optimism that if Government officials could rightly exercise their constitutional mandate, the issue of youth unemployment in the country will be drastically reduced.
According to him, “the Nigerian Constitution has granted more energy on political leaders to decide the future of this country and the young ones. So, even with the abundant skills we have, if there is no political will to drive the utilisation or maximisation of these skills into profitable ventures, everything will be in vain”.
He challenged the political leadership to do the right thing by creating the space for skilled youths in different ministries, departments and agencies in partnership with stakeholders.
He said, “There are many Government MDA’s that are relevant to what we trained participants during this vacation. If there is a collaboration between our organisation, the participants and the MDA’s, a lot of job opportunities will be created.
“We are calling on the MDA’s especially political leaders to engage these young people that acquired those skills. Since there is no space in the civil service, let them create an enabling environment for so many skilled persons, create opportunities and facilities for them to access and in the end, youth unemployment will be reduced.
“There are many skilled persons even on the roadside. One example out of many is in the Agricultural sector. It covers a lot that doesn’t make it mandatory for one to have a school certificate. Things such as cattle, sheep breeding, poultry among many others.
“All that is needed is a space and a small capital, network with the skilled people to ensure that you succeed”, Ibrahim Yusuf noted.
He assured the participants of the training that they should not just go and sit down. “We challenged them that anyone that has an idea that we can partner together, to get him scholarship, resources for business and many others, we are ready to do that”.
He also stated that as long as they get sponsorship, the training will continue and be expanded in number even during school periods.
Nasiru Isah, the Director of Science Village Gombe, said the 100 participants were divided into four programmes of 25 persons each.
According to him, each group was trained on a specialized programme to include: Computer appreciation; Literary development for ages 12 to 15; Language proficiency in English and Arabic as well as 21st century business skills.
The participants were awarded certificates at the closing ceremony of the one month long programme which started on the 21st August, 2024.