The issue of youth unemployment and its adverse effects on the country and the need to raise young entrepreneurs to curtail this problem was the major focus of the just concluded Youth Connect Forum, as experts gathered to proffer solutions and the possible way forward for the youths and the country.
The Chief Executive, Business Impact Limited and Co-Convener, Samson Olatunde gave the focal point of the forum in his welcome address “Here we are gathered at Youth connect to proffer solutions to some of the problems facing the Nigerian youth. This gathering is not your usual motivational seminar where all you get are doses of information without being equipped with the requisite skills needed for you to impact your world”. Olatunde gave his inspiring success in entrepreneurship and how he started his business from scratch to where it is now.
Lending his voice on the issue, Fela Durotoye believes the time is now for young people to rise up with courage, character and charisma and take hold of the future. Durotoye, maintains that youths have to think beyond employment and look inward into starting small scale businesses which will metamorphose into world class businesses. According to him “when you are young, you have nothing to lose. No responsibilities, no mortgages, no bills and literally everything you do will always be a step forward”. Durotoye who is the founder of Gemstone and a renowned motivational speaker and Consultant identifies courage, character and charisma as crucial factors that the youths must develop in their walk to greatness.
In her address, Senior Public Information Officer, United Nations Information Centre, Lagos, Ms. Envera Selimovic, condemned the current insurgencies in the country and the hostage of the over 200 Chibok girls. Ms. Selimovic, admonishing the youths says “you deserve a better life, so you have to fight for it”. She spoke on the unemployment challenge in the country. According to her “an unemployed youth is a problem in the making”, she however advised the youths to lay their hands on veritable ventures that will impact their lives and the country at large.
The event which was co-hosted by Business Impact Limited and Strategy for Mentoring Initiative and Leadership Empowerment (SMILE) held at the main auditorium of the University of Lagos, drew a large crowd of young Nigerians and attracted prominent conference speakers including Niyi Adesanya- President Fifth Gear Consulting, Jimi Tewe CEO, Inspiro Consulting, Maureen Iyasele- Founder Jobmag, Enibukun Adebayo CEO Clean Ace, Asiwaju Aderonke- Head, Counseling Unit UNILAG and Bimpe Bamigbose- Martins Founder S.M.I.L.E amongst others.
Take hold of your future, Fela Durotoye charges youths
148
