Stakeholders have renewed the call for the youth to embrace Innovation, Digital Skills and Entrepreneurship as a solution to youth unemployment in the Country.
This call was made by all the speakers at the Entrepreneurship and Exhibition Week held at the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora.
In his charge, the Chairman of the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of Brybos Hotel, Mr. Bosun Alayande advised the youths not to be weary in taking risks, rather, they should explore the opportunities in owning a business and build brands that would meet the needs of consumers. He emphasised the need to look inward, develop brands and break frontiers irrespective of the location.
The Lead Speaker, Engr. Wole Ayanrinde, the Chairman, Nigerian Society of Mechanical Engineers, Oyo State Branch while delivering his lecture, titled; Paradigm Shift, Raising Young Entrepreneurs through Innovation, Digital Skills and Entrepreneurship underscored the need for a fundamental change in the way young people are prepared for the future, from traditional education to entrepreneurial mindset.
According to him, “the old model of education ensured that students were trained to learn, graduate and look for jobs with limited digital exposure, while the new model emphasises that youth must learn, create, innovate and employ others with skill-focused, digital and solution-driven skills.
“We are shifting from job seekers to job creators, while reiterating that there are so many online businesses that are available for youths online; youth must explore the opportunity.”
The Chairman, Nigerian Society of Mechanical Engineers, Oyo State Branch called on key stakeholders which include parents, to encourage creativity and not just grade; Institutions to promote Tech skills and not theory, while the government must provide policies, funding and digital access. Also he appealed to the private sector to provide mentorship, internship and real-world exposure.
Engr. Ayanrinde listed five strategies for effective youth entrepreneurship support to include; education and training, Mentorship and Networking, Access to resources, encouraging innovation and creativity and policy support and advocacy.
The Rector, Prof. Akinola Akinlabi revealed that white collar jobs are not readily available.
He called on the students to take advantage of the entrepreneurship education and training in various skills that are available in the institution for their future development.
The Director, Centre for Vocational Skill and Entrepreneurship Development, Dr. Afusat Amusat revealed that entrepreneurship is included into the school curriculum in order to equip students with the essential life and career skills, for an uncertain future, to foster economic development, by making students job creators, instead of job seekers and to encourage innovation and problem solving sense in them.
She listed names of OYSCATECH graduates who are successful entrepreneurs, while calling on students on campus to learn from them.
Other speakers included; Coach Amos Adejesubisi, the convener Ibarapa Business Summit and Alumnus of OYSCATECH, the Ibarapa Coordinator for NYSC SAED programme, popularly known as Magic fingers and delegates from Export promotion Council and a host of others charged the students.
The programme featured entrepreneurship parades, exhibitions and business networking opportunities for students and lots of excitement.
The representative of the Royal Father of the Day, the Olu of Igboora, HRM Oba Jimoh Titiloye, the Asoroolu IV and the distinguished Management Team of OYSCATECH were in attendance.
