Besides encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit among the Nigerian youth, focus should also be on ensuring that young Nigerians are well-trained in whatever discipline or professional calling they may chose, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
While noting the importance of entrepreneurship, Prof. Osinbajo said “we should emphasize training too, solid training. For whatever you are, you can be the best in it… Building the very best minds should be the focus.”
According to him, “if you are a graduate of history, you should be so well-trained to be the best historian,” the VP said during a research presentation to him by Course 24 Participants of the National Defence College.
“I think we should bear in mind also that even if you are not an entrepreneur, but you are competent in whatever your field of endeavour or whatever your discipline is, if you are well-trained in any type of profession, you are a major contributor to the GDP, you are a major contributor to the well being of the society,” the VP declared.
While commending the participants for their research titled “Youth Bulge in Nigeria: Implications for National Security,” Prof. Osinbajo added that government would “still continue to maintain focus on very good solid training so that whatever you are, you can contribute to the society.”
The presentation noted the significant youth population in the country could be turned into a positive engine for national growth through entrepreneurship. Captain O. A. Olodude, of the Nigerian Navy, who made the presentation on behalf of Course 24 participants stated that if the youth are not harnessed through schemes such as NYSC Entrepreneurial Scheme, training in agriculture, ICT and others, to tackle unemployment, they would affect the society negatively.
Earlier, the Commandant of the National Defence Collage and leader of the delegation, Rear Admiral Samuel Alade, said the Course 24 has 130 Participants 7 of which are from other countries including Niger, Republic of Benin, Ghana, Zambia and Sierra Leone. He revealed that the next course will have participants from Germany, Turkey, Brazil and India. He stated that in the 25 years of the Collage, this is the first research presentation of its kind. Vice President Osinbajo, who promised to send the recommendations of the research to relevant government agencies, has also been recognized with the Distinguished Personality Award of the National Defence Collage.
In another development, the Vice President received on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari a delegation from the government of Guinea Bissau led by Prime Minister Baciro Dja. The Prime Minister came as a Special Envoy of President Jose Mairo Vaz of Guinea Bissau to deliver a special message.
Vice President Osinbajo commended the government of Guinea Bissau for its constitutional and peaceful management of the country’s affairs noting that “at the end of the day the whole purpose of government is to help the people not to harm them in the process of political conflict.”
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity)
In the Office of the Vice President.
July 28, 2016
