Yesterday, the Ibadan Prime Youth Forum(IPYF), the youth wing of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII, had her first edition of Ibadan Youth Summit tagged: The Burden of Youth Unemployment, whose fault?, Sustainable Intervention and Solutions.
The event featured youths of Ibadanland and friends of the city coming together to participate and contribute to the many issues bothering youthful youthfulness in Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole, with trade exhibition, speeches, panel sessions, questions and answers, and skill acquisition admittance for participants.
In attendance were notable people of Ibadan extraction, which includes the President-General of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga and his cabinet members, Professor Allan Femi Lana, son of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Odulana Odugade, among others.
While declaring the summit open, the wife of the President-General of CCII, Princess (Mrs.) Oluyemisi Adeaga congratulates the organizers for their initiative in putting up this youth engagement event together.
In his Opening speech, CCII President-General, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga also commended the Forum and reiterate his commitment of the leadership of CCII which he head to the development and advancement of Ibadan Youth.
He further encourages the youths to engage in more meaningful things that will serve as catalyst to their development.
The National Coordinator of the Forum, Dr. Oluwatunmise Adeagbo in his remarks said; “the purpose of the Summit is to address the issue of unemployment and proffer practicable solutions.
“Unemployment is a global concern among developing countries, and forcing them facing acute unemployment in the formal and informal labour markets. Nigeria, with the largest youth population in Africa, is no exception” he said.
He further stated that; “practical solutions that will be work upon will be drawn from submission from discussants who will be speaking on the topic.”
“At the end of today, we hope to provide recommendations to address the immediate and longer-term aspects of the youth unemployment challenge in Nigeria; especially as it concerns Ibadan youths”
“Nigeria ranked 158th out of 183 countries in the domain of employment and opportunities. One unique feature of the economic growth problem in Nigeria is its inability to create more jobs. Considering the growing youth population, estimated to reach 150 million by 2030, this is a significant concern” he concluded.
Discussants at the first panel session includes: Asiwaju Azeez Olasunkande, the group head, HR Resort International Limited, Ambassador Romoke Ayinde, CEO Kayrom Lee, Titilope Gbadamosi Adebayo, Former SSA community relations, Oyo state, Hon. Bolaji Repete, ably represented by former S.A on Students’ Matter to Late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Mrs. Fatima Hassan-Adeleke and Mrs Steve Ogundipo Olayinka the representative of the State Coordinator of National Directorate of Employment.
In their words, they encouraged the youths to take charge of their lives, hunt for opportunities in their various field.
They further admonished Nigerian youth, who are graduates and undergraduates to start learning skills, either soft skills and other vocational skills, that will put them at the center of job creation and employer of labour.
The NDE representatives also uses the medium to inform participants on how to benefits from free skills acquisition put in place by the Government, while it was also confirmed that the leadership of the Ibadan Prime Youth Forum are working on linking participants who attended the programme and indicated interest in learning vocational skills to the agency and other partners of the events.
During the second session, Discussants shared their success stories, and how the youths can getting started.
Mrs. Adejoke Lasisi further enlightened the youths on many opportunities open for their consumption.
Other discussants includes Mr. Wale Oladiti, CEO Weeldrop Petroleum, Dr. Wole Odetayo represented by Mr Isreal Raphael and Mrs Damilola Ashaleye, CEO Ashdam Solar, they all gave insight on how they started their businesses, the challenges and how they were able to overcome the challenges.