Youth development stakeholders have urged Nigerian Women and Youths, particularly those in the North-East, to take advantage of possibilities in ICT and agriculture that will prepare them for upcoming challenges.
According to Dr. Mohammed Kyari, FTIV founder, education is the only way to break the cycle of poverty since it will inspire creative solutions to societal problems.
He revealed that FTIV, a social enterprise and technology-based valley company, offered one-stop technology solutions as well as mentorship services where new skills and knowledge are produced.
Kyari said:“Available statistics show that over 70% of the population in north-eastern Nigeria is below 45 years old.
“And this active study and work age group in the region, needs strong education, skills acquisition, employment opportunities and economic empowerment.
”This is by providing necessary training and skills driven by job market needs and demands associated with human development.”
Mr Kyari Bukar, the CEO of INLAKS limited, who spoke on the topic: “Technology Start-Up and Economic Empowerment”, said that several strategic business units were vital to economic advancement.
He urged participants to be insightful and concentrate on opportunities that would help the North-East flourish.
He urged FTIV to focus on trainings, scholarships, skills acquisition as “ these are parameters that ensure development which enables the people to get empowered.’’
Dr Dikko Radda, the immediate former DG of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), spoke at length on unlocking opportunities in the North East.
Radda, who was represented by Mr Onesi Lawani, spoke on: “Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in the North East: Challenges and Opportunities.”
He claimed that the information at hand showed there was still much to be done to advance and take advantage of potential in the area.
“Access to finance is not the only challenge to unlocking opportunities.
”A lot needs to be done between the private and the government in the area of partnerships and policies to benefit the public,’’ he said.
Radda noted a slight decline in small and medium enterprises in recent times, which had contributed to unemployment and exports.
Dr Satish Nair, Director, Product Development, Afri Ventures FZE, Kewalram Chanrai group, urged the participants on agribusiness and agripreneurship in the North East.
Nair said agriculture and agribusiness are the catalysts of growth and development for any nation.
He added that youths in any nation have a call of agripreneurship, which was ”a responsibility to make agriculture an attractive and profitable business enterprise.
“ Agriculture possesses great scope for entrepreneurship, and this can be harnessed by effective management of agri-elements; such as water, seed, soil, and market needs,’’ he said.
