IBADAN – Dr Ayo Olude, a peer mentor and lecturer at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, on Wednesday in Ibadan advised Nigerian youths to channel their energy into useful ventures.
Olude gave the advice at a one-day Skill Acquisition Programme, organised by Human of Substance Empowerment Initiative, an NGO, for school leavers who are awaiting university admission.
He advised the youths to turn their dreams into reality by acquiring skills along with their pursuit of university education.
“You must be well-informed, diligent and involved in training and skill acquisition,’’ he said.
He noted that with the right information they would be able to made good decisions and get good results.
Pastor Dolapo Adelakun, wife of Bishop Victor Adelakun of the Rehoboth Cathedral, in a key-note address advised the youths to pursue any skill they start learning until they are very good in it.
“You must pay attention to those things you know how to do well because they will be your source of financial empowerment in the future.
“You must not rely on your parents’ inheritance because whatever they give you will only enhance you and not promote you.’’ [eap_ad_1] She also counselled them to eschew reckless spending, cultivate the habit of saving and endeavour to get the approval of their parents in whatever they do.
Miss Abiade Abiola, the chairperson of the NGO, said the idea of the programme was born out of the fact that she had to stay at home for four years before gaining admission to read law at the university.
“During those four years of waiting, I had to learn sewing, cooking and interior decoration; the proceeds from rendering these services empowered me financially throughout my university days.
“This was why I decided to use the NGO to assist young school leavers in acquiring skills while waiting for admission,’’ she said.
She advised them to make maximal use of their great potential.
NAN reports that 300 secondary school leavers of Government College Ibadan, Ibadan Boys High School, Our Lady of Apostles, St Annes School and Queens’ School, Ibadan, participated in the programme.
Twenty students received between N15,000 and 25,000 each to learn skills such as cooking, hair dressing, bead-making, photograph, printing and publishing. (NAN)[eap_ad_4]
