Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has charged Nigerian youths to acquire international certifications, especially in Information Communication and Technology to fit into global markets.
Nebo made the call in Enugu at an event in commemoration of the 2023 World Youth Day and Unveiling of Skillnet.
The event was organised by ESPOLY Business and Innovation School (EBIS) Enugu in partnership with UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNESCO-UNEVOC).
In a keynote address, he charged students on additional skills outside their degree certificate to fit into the technological environment they found themselves.
He said: “What I can tell you from my experience as Vice Chancellors of many universities, that very soon, university degrees will become mundane and obsolete.
“If you don’t have any skill, you will find yourselves in hot problem, that is the reason, programmes such as this need all the support that it needed.
“And if we don’t prepare our young people for the future, we are going to raise army of unprotected restful youths.”
Nebo explained that what was in vogue now was Information Technology or skills adding that without them, no student could be marketable.
“It won’t be long and people will look at your degree and ask what else which means other certificates and skills you acquired.
“Artificial intelligence is taking over the world now, so if you are not competent in those areas, you will be de-marketed,” he advised.
Gov.Peter Mbah of Enugu State in a message said the theme for the event reminded us of the crucial role that education, mentorship, and collaboration play in shaping a brighter and more inclusive world.
Mbah, represented by his Special Adviser on SMEs Development, Mr Arinze Chilo-Offiah, said the challenges facing Nigeria were diverse and complex.
He add that to navigate these challenges successfully, there was the need to invest in the greatest resource on talents and skills of the youth.
“Our young generation possesses the innovation, creativity, and energy that can drive the transformation of our societies for the better,” Mbah said.
Prof. E. Osimen, the UNESCO-UNEVOC, South-East Coordinator, noted that equipping young people with quality education, training and skills was essential.
He, however, advised Nigerian students on digital literacy skill, stressing that the world was evolving towards ICT which they must adapt to.
Also speaking, the Rector of Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwolloh, Rev. Fr. Nnamdi Nwankwo, represented by the Deputy Rector, Ejike Ajibo, urged the students to scale through environment to see what was lacking and build their skills on it.
“The problem of insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other crimes is being driven by hunger and unemployment as a result of youthful energy that was not properly channeled,” he said.
In a welcome address, the Executive Director, EBIS, Mr Roland Ediawe, said the school was using the day to unveil “Skillnet” a one- stop platform designed by EBIS to power its activities globally.
He described skillnet as its engine-room platform that deals with all the issues associated with skill development and its commercialisation for socio-economic benefits at both micro- and macro-levels.
Ediawe said unemployment in Nigeria was traceable to poor quality education and lack of the desired working skills needed to drive modern economy.
According to him: “Many job seekers lack the necessary employable skills and task specific knowledge needed which has contributed to national unemployment.
“Skillnet also serve as a marketplace for freelancers and professional services providers that connect businesses with people in areas of ICT, Engineering, Agribusiness and others to help these youths achieve their desired skills.”
