The Speaker of House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has said that all efforts must be geared towards defeating youth unemployment in the country as they constitute over 60 percent of Nigeria’s population.
Gbajabiamila said it was imperative for all well-meaning Nigerians to contribute their quota in making sure that most of the Nigerian youths are gainfully employed.
Declaring open a 3-day workshop on entrepreneurial development, leadership and reorientation for corps members serving in the National Assembly, the speaker said the issue is part of the Legislative Agenda of the 9th House of Representatives.
The workshop was organized by the Gbaja Professionals Volunteer Network, a body set up by the aides to the speaker.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Sanusi Garba Rikiji, the speaker noted that the House would continue to come up with youth-friendly legislation.
“We strongly recognise that all hands must be on deck to actualise the quantum of positive impact we all desire in our country.
“Over the last two and a half years, we have successfully carried out direct interventions on education, healthcare and welfare, impacting tens of thousands of pupils, children, women and families, across the country.
“In the next two days, we will be advancing entrepreneurial development through capacity building, encouragement, enlightenment of the youth population, through your good selves here.
“This remains a vital ingredient toward defeating the rising scourge of unemployment, poverty and lack of productivity in the country, especially among youths.
“In the same token, it is worthy of note, the veritable platform the NYSC scheme has provided for our youths to be pooled to contribute to national unity,” he said.
Gbajabiamila urged the participants to utilize the opportunity provided by the workshop so as to learn new ideas and skills.
Also speaking, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Arc. Ojo Olatunde Amos, lauded the speaker’s aides for coming up with such initiative.
He advised Nigerian youths to shun all forms of violence and resist any temptation to engage in thuggery in the coming 2023 elections.
On his part, the president of the Gbaja Professionals, Alhaji Lukman Lawal, said the foundation was interested in helping to improve the socio-economic well-being of the people.
He said the areas of focus included human capital development, education, health and social development.
“Unfortunately, across the country, today, a lot of young persons are daily in the news for the wrong reasons.
“This is ranging from yahoo-yahoo, kidnapping, banditry, lotto addiction, alcohol addiction and drug abuse, which is believed to be taking a negative toll on 4 out of 10 young persons; a very disturbing trend.
“The good news here right now is that if you are here listening, you can start from this moment to make the right choices, you can turn a new leaf and you can successfully rewrite your story, with God on your side,” he said.