Ex-minister harps on entrepreneurship, human capital development to reduce unemployment
Aformer minister of Agriculture, Prof. Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah, at the weekend enjoined the Federal Government to invest more in human capital development, saying this would not only increase entrepreneurship consciousness, but also reduce unemployment in the country.
Abdullah stated this at the 17th Convocation ceremony of the Igbinedion University Okada (IUO) in Edo State.
He urged the graduates to be good ambassadors of the institution, assuring them that the challenges being faced today in the country, as a nation will fizzle out by the performances of the crop of graduates being churned out.
Abdullah said investment in the youths should henceforth be Federal Government’s priority, noting that Nigerian youths were energetic, intelligent and resourceful and would only need a little encouragement to push the country to the next level. “Government must invest in building more skills acquisition centres, rebuild and fund existing ones for greater output and effectiveness. We must identify the gifted and special talents in our country and give them the attention they deserve if we must realise its quest for greatness,” Abdullah said. Speaking Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Lawrence Ezemonye, while congratulating the graduates and honourees, said the university looked forward to the awards, which he said would act as catalyst for a more productive contribution to the university and entire society.