By Amaechi Agbo

The Federal ministry of Youth and Sports has charged Nigeria youths to embrace entrepreneurship in order to add value to their lives and the economy of the country.

Dr Calistus Cussons made the call during the 2019 World Youth Skills Day on Monday held at the VIP Lounge of the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

Dr Calistus who was the Guest Speaker at the event advised the youths to look and go beyond the limit and idea of their qualifications and explore their intellect as well as diversify beyond their education scope.

He also advised them to acquire more skills outside their area of study and be able to harness their potentials to make a better future for themselves and for the country.

“In our 21st century today, you cannot do without entrepreneurship if you want to be successful in life not just as a youth. What is entrepreneurship? Entrepreneurship is the process of designing, launching and running a new business, which is often initially a small business. The people who create these businesses are called entrepreneurs.

“From among you youths, I see great entrepreneurs. You can become an outstanding entrepreneur once you believe in yourself.

“Apart from being an entrepreneur, you need self-confident. Confident is germaine in whatever you want to pursue. It is key to the success you want to achieve. Confident is the ability to sell yourself.

“You must have resilience and be focused. In our clime today, the environment is not friendly and you have to be resilient to breakthrough. You don’t wait for a smooth environment to avail itself, you create one. Nothing good comes easy.

“Diversifying your talents beyond your educational attainment and qualifications remains the path to your greatness. No youth should fold his hands and be waiting for government job. You have the world in your palms.

“Do not forget that we are in ICT world and you cannot be left behind. You need to leverage on the abundant opportunities information and communication technology has provided. With ICT, you can take up various vocational skills acquisitions available,” the university don said.

In his address, a representative of the Special Assistant to the President on Youth, Olumide Oke encouraged the youth to make use of their young age not just to secure their future but that of the country adding that there will be no Nigeria tomorrow without the youth.

He commended the ministry for coming up with the event and urged them to sustain it.

“It is on this basis that the federal government is committed in providing enabling environment for our youths to be successful.

“Nigeria Youths are talented, dogged and very hard working, they are great assets to the nation. The administration of President Mohammadu Buhari is putting up policies to empower Nigeria youths. One of such is the inauguration of Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme to provide solution to the various needs of the youths. The government is also into youth empowerment and eradication of youth unemployment in the country.

“The World Youth Skills Day is a platform for you to analyse life and see the need for you to champion the course of self-belief. I commend the ministry for this great event, Nigeria is on the path of greatness,” he said.

Theme of the 2019 World Youth Skills Day, is “Learning to learn for life and work”.

Highlights of the event include exhibition by youths as well as drama presentation.