Explore opportunities in technology, innovation, not politics- Osinbajo charges Nigerian youth

Abiola Kolawole

Nigerian Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has said that rather than focusing on politics, Nigerian youth should explore opportunities in the modern day technology and innovation.

The Vice President gave the charge on Saturday while delivering a paper entitled, "Developing the Nation Through Youth Empowerment", at the 9th public lecture to commemorate the 68th anniversary of Sigma Club, University of Ibadan (UI), held at the International Conference Centre (UI). 

The Vice President while speaking asserted that there is predominant vacuum in both technology and innovation, which needed are readily available to for youths of the country to prosper.

He said, "There is no other way to develop our nation if the youths are not technological and innovative driven"

The VP who maintained that Nigeria future lies in the hands of the youth also asked them to be vigilant and hold their leaders accountable.

He added that, "The future can only be great if you are vigilant and hold your leaders accountable". 

Speaking further, Osinbajo disclosed that the Federal Government is currently developing a curriculum on science, Technology, Engineering and Maths which will include 21st century way of thinking.

He said, "A lot is going on in creativity and technology, the future of job creation is in technology and innovation. We are moving to universities for different innovation and Federal Government will invest on it". 

In his remarks, Dr. Wale Babalakin in his remarks said that the choice of the topic was remarkable and cardinal to the development of Nigeria. 

Dr Babalakin who was the Chairman of the Occasion, challenged the givernment yo get youth development right and also ensure that youths benefit from qualitative education.

He said, "Time has gone for us to continue with the blame game. Whatever that might have led us to the current challenges is unfortunate, but do the needful in salvaging youth unemployment". 

Babalakin who is the Pro Chancellor, University of  Lagos (UNILAG) said that the nation shiuld find a way of funding education in a robust fashion that is sustainable. 

Earlier in his address, the Sigma Chief, Valentine Igbonekwu said that the lecture was organised to offer a platform for Nigerian youths to improve their economic productivity and social economic inclusion through proper acquisition of practical skills set and worthy entrepreneurial capacity.

He explained that the club has been the oldest surviving students' organisation in sub-sahara Africa with considerable focus on good character, discipline, integrity and national development.

Igbonekwu maintained that the club over the years has contributed immensely to educational development with timely interventions and prompt contribution through its stigma educational foundation.

He said that the public lecture which has played host to distinguished speakers has become a robust platform where burning national issues of collective interest are intellectually x-rayed  and descented with a view to proffering lasting solutions to them.

He concluded by urging the youth to rise through the event and strategically apply the lesson learnt in profitable enterprises that will help to sterm the tide of youth unemployment in the country.