The National Directorate of Employment, NDE, has warned that the high unemployment rate among youths in the country is likely to result in an increase in cases of kidnapping, robbery, prostitution and youth restiveness.
This was disclosed by the Director-General of NDE, Mr. Olakunle Obayan, in Awka, Anambra state at the opening ceremony of the “Start Your Own Business, SYOB,” training of the directorate.
He advised the youths, especially graduates of tertiary institutions, to acquire skills that would take them away from these vices, explaining that SYOB was borne out the desire to ensure that unemployed graduates of tertiary institutions were exposed to the benefits of self-reliance through entrepreneurship.
Obayan stressed that the training would also guide the youths in their choices of business ideas, which, he stated, would instill in them self- confidence in managing their business successfully.
His words: “I am sure that you are aware that statistics of unemployment in Nigeria is high. It is also important to note that more universities are emerging, which would mean more graduates being churned out to join the already bloated market.
“This particular situation can only result in frustration and give rise to various deviant behaviours, such as youth restiveness, prostitution, kidnapping, robbery and so on.”
The NDE boss observed that most developed nations achieved economic prosperity through small- scale businesses that propelled employment for their populace, noting that it was for that reason that the agency encouraged the formation of small businesses that had the potential to develop into big entities, depending on the commitment of the business owners.
He explained that the purpose of the training was to ensure that the beneficiaries recognized their individual potentials, as well as be able to write feasibility reports that would expose them to funding facilities.
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