Urhobo Youths Unveil Plans to Empower 5,000 Youths Annually
LAGOS JUNE 24TH (URHOBOTODAY)-The UPYA Leadership and Skill acquisition Institute, a leading youth empowerment and human capital development nongovernmental organization in the Niger Delta region, has unveiled plans to train 5000 youths annually on relevant skills ranging from all forms of welding and fabrication( Argon, x-ray, Pipe line, etc), Automobile mechanics, electrician, heavy duty machine operation and repairs, hair dressing and barbing, catering services, fashion and designing, scaffolding, carpentry and wood finishing, laptops and GSM repairs, to basic computer training, etc.
Addressing the new intakes (BATCH G)of the institute’s school of information technology last week, the President of the institute, Marcus Ekure said’’ Today, the number of graduates being turned into the labour market yearly when viewed against the background of the unemployment index is alarming and should be an issue of concern to any government that wishes to succeed. The only true solution to the menace of unemployment in Nigeria is to configure a solution based thought system rather than the dependence mentality in our youths of which only effective vocational or skill acquisition programscan guarantee’’. Buttressing the importance of skill acquisition,” he said.
Ekure described the world today as on a fast lane moving towards entrepreneurship of which skill acquisition is the control panel upon which it thrives, adding that with the present altitude of technological and societal advancement, the world today is fast changing and dynamic that certificates are no longer enough.
“Yes, after your University certificate, you still need a skill or skills. Fifteen years from now, only men of skills would be in control and stand the test of time. The Nigerian youths need mental and attitudinal re-engineering which would entrench the old value of skill acquisition- I mean the very skills we saw as local and primitive at the onset’’, he advised.
According to him, “Historically, it is obvious that government cannot solve the unemployment situation of this country alone. By the UPYA ‘’OPERATION ONE YOUTH, ONE SKILL,’’ we intend to partner with government, corporate bodies and individuals to ensure every youth in Nigeria acquires a useful skill in line with his or her passion. And there after present beneficiaries with starter packs that would enable them self sustain. Reacting to questions as to what makes the difference between this initiative and government run skill acquisition programs, Marcus said participants would not only undergo skill acquisition but also a compulsory leadership and entrepreneurial training with consistent volume of motivation to enable them succeed after training. Besides, we have a monitoring system that produces weekly progress report on all participants across our training centers.”
