Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has identified Entrepreneurship as the panacea for youth employment in the country, describing it as an employment strategy that leads to economic sufficiency for the people.
Akeredolu who stated this during a summit titled “Youth unemployment, #ENDSARS and Aftermath: The way Forward” held at the International Culture and Event Center (DOME), Igbatoro road, Akure, the State capital, called for the addition of Entrepreneur-focused programs, establishment of technical schools and trade centres to produce youths who are self-reliance and employers of Labour.
The Governor maintained that the benefits of entrepreneurship cannot be overemphasised as it remains the antidote for youth unemployment, stressing the need for government at all levels to inculcate and entrench the culture of entrepreneurship among the youth.
Governor Akeredolu also noted that the country must chart a new course to address the issue of youth unemployment, stressed that no state government, whether national or sub-national, can employ all the unemployed youths in the country.
His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Jude Arogundade, Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese spoke on peace within the community and advised key parties to seek quick, effective avenues to ensure that the youths are engaged. He also warned about a new wave of violent protests if the Government fails to take necessary action.
Speaking on Entrepreneurship, the Special Adviser To the Governor on Entrepreneurship Development, Summy Smart Francis engaged the stakeholders with a compendious speech on the essence and true value of Entrepreneurship through the newly formed State Agency ONDEA (Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency).
“We cannot make tables without carpenters”. – Summy Smart Francis further iterated that the Government needs to utilize Entrepreneurship development in the right direction.
The Special Adviser also charged the state to embrace the new perspective of running the Government as a conglomerate.
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu further highlighted alternative solutions his cabinet had developed to directly tackle the issue on ground, some of which included; reorientation for the youths, approval of new academic institutions, advocacy for a new population law, quick implementation of technical curriculums in schools, creation of jobs and means of livelihood.
The event started at the early hours of Wednesday, 25th November 2020 and was graced by major representatives of the society; youths, elders, security heads, Government and Non-Governmental bodies, traditional rulers across the state led by the Chairman of the Council of Obas, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, religious leaders including Alhaji Aladesawe, Chairman of Ondo state League of Imams and Alfas and Chief Imam of Owo kingdom, Alhaji Abdul Akeem Akorede, Chief Imam of Akure Empire and others.
