By Femi Atolagbe

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Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has identified appropriate value reorientation as the panacea to the fundamental global challenges facing Nigerian youths.

He added that there is a need to put in place structures and systems to assist the youth in acquiring high-quality skills to positively contribute to a productive economy.

Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami, stated this while launching the Ondo State “One Youth, One Skill” scheme with the theme: “Youth Skills for Peace and Development,” held at the Adegbemile Cultural Center, Akure, to commemorate the 2024 World Youth Skills Day.

Aiyedatiwa noted that the theme of the event was aimed at recognizing and promoting the importance of equipping young people with skills for entrepreneurship, employment, and decent jobs.

According to him, the administration has concluded arrangements to explore opportunities and partner with the private sector and other development partners to build the capacity of the teeming unemployed youths for sustainable job creation.

“We are also determined to provide an accessible, inclusive, and integrated youth empowerment scheme as machinery for incubating young entrepreneurs who will drive our economy to the next level.”

“It is in this regard that our administration established the Office of the Ondo State Development Entrepreneurship Agency (ONDEA) as a veritable platform to promote entrepreneurship and galvanize our youth towards getting the right expertise and financial support to become employers of labor rather than depending on the government for employment.”

In his welcome address, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, said it is pertinent for youths engagement at the community level as a key to achieving the 2030 Agenda of SDGs.

Ogunleye, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mrs. Tolu Adeyemi, added that youth engagement at all levels would pave the way for a better understanding of probable ways youth social entrepreneurship could enhance youth development and accelerate the implementation of these goals.

“The current trend in youth population growth has significantly affected the socio-economic policies and agenda of the country. This, among others, has amplified the need to acquire high-quality skills to positively contribute to a productive economy, thus creating access to the labor market.”

Also, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Empowerment and Job Creation, Mr. Orioye Benedict Gbayisemore, said the current administration is committed to sustainable youth empowerment that guarantees self-reliance and economic prosperity.