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The Executive Governor of Ondo State- His Excellency, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN)

The President of the African Young Entrepreneurs- Mr. Summy Smart Francis

The Executives & Members of A.Y.E

Dignitaries present

Our strategic partners

Gentlemen of the Press

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

 

I welcome every distinguished person in this room to this auspicious event. I greet all the young people present here today.

We are gathered here today to mark the 8th Annual A.Y.E CONVENTION and the Unemployment Summit. The organization which started from a humble beginning in 2010 has grown over the last 11 years into a body with 12 million members across 19 countries.

I commend the President, Mr Summy Smart Francis for his foresight and determination in ensuring that he builds networks of stakeholders so that Young Entrepreneurs in Africa are empowered to achieve their dreams. One of his achievements is what we are witnessing today.

This Entrepreneurship summit of the AYE is powered by Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency (ONDEA) and this is very commendable.

 

SO, WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF UNEMPLOYMENT ON THE ECONOMY?

Unemployment has a negative effect on any economy worldwide. The result is evident in adverse social impacts such as insecurity, terrorism, bloody protests, and hunger.

For example, one of the worst multi-racial street protest movements of the 20th century was in the United States of America. It experienced one of its most devastating civil unrests on the eve of a presidential election in 1932.

The rioters’ reasons were that about 24% of Americans were unemployed and the government didn’t provide funds to support the jobless and homeless as Local Governments ran out of money. People across the country joined the chaotic demonstrations.

In another clime, the Gulf nation of Oman, which is in the Middle East region of the world, experienced a disastrous protest in May this year. Young people took to the streets in different cities across the country to protest the lack of jobs and economic opportunities.

Coming closer home, Ghana also experienced its ugly share of protests just recently in August this year. Their citizens kicked off a series of planned protests aimed at pressurizing their government to do more to create jobs for the youth. I need not remind us of the painful memories of the “END SARS” protests that happened in our own beloved country, Nigeria, which were sparked off by the youths, most of whom were jobless and without a meaningful source of livelihood.

Now, fellow Nigerians, are we still prepared to handle the issue of unemployment in the country with kid gloves?

LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT JOB CREATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

I am glad that we are all gathered here today not only to discuss the issues of unemployment but to proffer solutions via:

1. The creation of jobs through the instrumentality of entrepreneurship.
2. To strategically and creatively execute entrepreneurial interventions that will finally put a rest on unemployment in Nigeria.

I must commend the State Government, under the leadership of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), for taking the issue of entrepreneurship seriously in Ondo State. This he demonstrated by establishing an Entrepreneurship Village in the State.

I am using this medium to call on other State Governments and the Federal Government of Nigeria to take a more systematic approach concerning the creation of jobs through entrepreneurship in the country.

This is because it is a great panacea for unemployment and the vices associated with it. The young people in this country are calling out and yearning for assistance to survive. Not only that, they are also ready and willing to contribute their quota to the economy of this nation, if only we give them a chance.

It is therefore time for us, the older generation, to step back to allow the younger ones to come on board to serve and implement innovative policies that are transformational and trans-generational. If we want our country to take its rightful place in the committee of nations, we need to involve our youths in:

1. Decision making
2. Policy creation
3. Strategy Development
4. Legislation
5. Corporate Governance
6. Entrepreneurship

Your Excellency, I am happy to know that your government is practicing an inclusive Government by appointing some young people in your cabinet. This is a good concept as it ensures that all stakeholders are ably represented.

I believe the rich blend of the experience of the older generation and the innovative ideas and energy of the young ones is a recipe for the success of any organization, community, or nation. Therefore, let’s ensure that we employ:

1. The right people
2. With the right mind
3. The right expertise
4. The right knowledge
5. And the right energy to move our nation forward.

SO, WHAT IS THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN JOB CREATION?

Back to the issue of job creation, let’s ponder over the following questions.

1. How are jobs created?
2. How do people get employed?
3. How do people earn a living?

Someone would argue that it is the responsibility of the government to create jobs, while others would say, industries are the ones that create jobs. I believe that the role of governments at the Local, State and Federal levels is to build capacity for Entrepreneurship Development.

This is achieved through the development of favourable policies and creating enabling environments that will allow entrepreneurs to thrive. They must invest heavily in entrepreneurial initiatives & projects, and further enhance entrepreneurship advocacy and literacy.

If our government do not take entrepreneurship seriously today, there might be no need for it tomorrow as there will be no economy tomorrow.

Concerning the role of industries in job creation, we need to ask the following questions:

1. Who are the drivers?
2. Who are the ones that started these companies and built them till they became Fortune500 organizations that employ thousands of workers?
3. Who are the industry giants of today?

You will realize that every conglomerate, multinational and industry today started with an idea from an entrepreneur or entrepreneurs. These are individuals or groups of people who started with a small innovation and grew it to become a big company.

Entrepreneurs would continue to create jobs as one employs two, two employ more and the ripple effect becomes infinite. They would also go on to become industry giants that would ultimately employ thousands and liberate the nation.

It is the belief that this nation, our economy, and our people can be transformed through entrepreneurship. When the government and entrepreneurs work hand in hand it will make any economy flourish faster. As the Grand Matron of one of the largest Entrepreneurship networks in Africa – Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (A.Y.E), my firm belief in entrepreneurship remains the same.

For example, I started as a fashion entrepreneur and made a difference in the fashion industry. My passion for entrepreneurship paved the way for other opportunities for me and so are the stories of great entrepreneurs in our world of today.

In conclusion, I encourage all the young entrepreneurs here today to make sure that you follow your dreams, gain knowledge and network amongst yourselves. There are opportunities abounding everywhere.

Don’t sit and wait for things to happen, go out and make it happen. Open your minds and eyes and tap into the resources available in this state, identify it and own it.

What I did in my time was to find the available resources, create the right partnerships and make business happen. You too can do that. So, find opportunities in the state, find the right partners, and make business happen. Your partners can be local or international. Harness this unemployment summit and make the most of it.

Finally, I congratulate every participant present at today’s summit and I wish you all the best in your deliberations. As usual, let’s say this together, Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs, if you can ACHIEVE this much alone … How much MORE can we achieve TOGETHER!!!

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. God bless Ondo State and God bless all our entrepreneurs. Thank you.

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The members of the Board of Trustees

Our esteemed speakers and facilitators

Our participants both on-site and online

Gentlemen of the press

Ladies and Gentlemen

 

On behalf of the Chairman and Board of Trustees of the Rose of Sharon Foundation, it gives me great pleasure to warmly welcome you all to our Youth Empowerment Program for 2022, themed “Self-Actualisation – A Panacea for Youth Survival”.

It has been an awesome journey since 2017 when we had our first edition and today’s program is our 8^th outing. Though this event is on-site we are also streaming it live to reach as many youths as possible.

 

ABOUT YEP

The RoSF Youth Empowerment Program is the Foundation’s flagship career development and capacity-building program for graduates and undergraduates, job seekers, and working-class and self-employed youths. We aim to provide Nigerian Youths with the knowledge and information that will enable them to be successful in their chosen endeavours.

Over the past 5 years, thousands of youths have attended this program.

WHY SHOULD YOUTHS PURSUE SELF ACTUALISATION?

Abraham Maslow, an American psychologist described self-actualisation as the “process of becoming everything you are capable of becoming”. Kim Egel, an American therapist, went further to explain it as the “ability to become the best version of yourself”.

THE PROCESS OF BECOMING

The process of becoming everything you are capable of, and being the best version of yourself, revolves around identifying the specifics of who you are, and what you are wired for, in other to harness innate abilities and reach your full potential. It is about purpose and fulfilment which are the pillars for socioeconomic sustainability and survival.

In other words, the solution for the survival of our youths is for them to strive to be the best that they can be in whatever they choose to engage in, within the exploitation of their specific talents, potentials, and capabilities, according to Maslow.

Nowadays, some of our youths are accused of trying to seek shortcuts to achieve their goals. Some of them are unwilling to take the time to work hard at improving their skills and talents.

Rather, they want to leave school today and own a house, car and other luxuries of life in the shortest possible time. But we all know that Rome was not built in a day and there is always time for everything under the sun.

 

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO AS A YOUTH?

To attain self-actualisation, you need to look inwards to identify your innate abilities and harness them for long-term gain, fulfilment of purpose, relevance, and survival.

SO, WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SELF ACTUALISATION AMONG THE YOUTHS

1. They will become empowered and confident.
2. Creativity and innovation will abound for the greater economic good.
3. Crime and criminal behaviours will reduce.
4. There will be poverty reduction.
5. Unemployment levels will also reduce tangibly.
6. There will be an improvement in the quality of goods and services produced.
7. The standard of life and living will be positively impacted.
8. And lastly, the economy of the country will increase.

 

SO, WHAT IS THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN YOUTH ACTUALISATION

For any nation to thrive its government has a vital role to perform. It is the responsibility of the government to provide a conducive atmosphere for their citizens to create, innovate and flourish.

This is because the progress of a nation is a function of the level of resourcefulness of the people.

These functions include but are not limited to:

1. Development and implementation of favourable economic policies that will encourage investors and investments in the country.
2. Defending and protecting the territory of the nation.
3. Maintenance of law and order.
4. Provision of good Infrastructure.
5. Provision of direct and indirect employment.
6. Provision of Social Amenities.
7. And the provision of quality education.

Unfortunately, in our part of the world, successive governments have not fully fulfilled their social contract with the people.

However, I do not want our youths to use this as an excuse for not pursuing their goals. You must decide your future for yourself and not allow it to be taken away from you.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO TO ACTUALISE YOUR DREAMS?

1. Get Educated.
2. Learn a trade.
3. Discover what you are wired for and harness your innate abilities.
4. Pursue what you are good at and improve your skills.
5. Network with like minds.
6. Pursue your dreams and aspirations with vigour.
7. Don’t give up when times are tough.
8. Stay away from visionless people.

And I pray that God will crown all your efforts with success in Jesus’ name

MEET THE SPEAKERS

To do justice to the topic of the day, we have invited seasoned individuals who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields to share their experiences with you.

They are in the persons of:

Reverend Femi Faseru















He was formerly an IT Consultant in corporations like Glaxowellcome, Bank of Boston, Media surface and GlaxoSmithKline. He is the Resident Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) Maryland, Lagos as well as the National Superintendent of KICC Nigeria.

A powerful and dynamic teacher of the word. His ministry is known in Nigeria via television broadcasts and internationally via conferences. His opinion on pressing issues is regularly sought by various Nigerian mass media.

 

 

Mr. Temitope Jegede

Mr Temitope Jegede has over eighteen years of experience in Administration, Huma Resources, Sales, Marketing and Entrepreneurship. He is the Managing Director of Tom Associates Training – an innovative training and capacity building company with a vision of developing future leaders.

He has a Master’s degree in International Law & Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and he holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Manpower Economics from the University of Lagos. He also has a Postgraduate Degree in Transformation Leadership from the Institute of National Transformation.

 

 

Pastor Bidemi Mark-Mordi

She is the CEO of Verbatim Communications Limited. She is a multi-talented Business Leader, Life Coach, Speaker, Publisher, and author of more than 18 books. She has over 20 years of extensive experience in the areas of Leadership and value-based people development. 

I thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to contribute to the survival of our youths and the development of our dear country, Nigeria.

I pray that God will continually bless all your endeavours in Jesus’ name.

To all the on-site and online participants, I urge you to commit to making the most of all you’ll learn this afternoon. This is because it has the potential to change your life for the better.

Once again, I welcome you all to today’s session.

God bless you.