Nigerian youths should see the Covid 19 pandemic as an opportunity to innovate and become job creators rather than job seekers.
Hence, they need to take advantage of the various grants opportunities available online to secure themselves ahead of the post Covid-19 era.
These were some of the submissions of an Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship and Corporate Social Responsibility at the American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa State, Dr Lukman AbdurRaheem, during a Webinar organised by Involve Africa, a Pan-Africa Youth Organization in Lagos.
He said the youths should come up with viable business ideas that can be supported by governments, well meaning Nigerians, Non-Governmental Organisations and religious bodies.
Dr AbdurRaheem said the government, on its part, need to deploy more funds into entrepreneurship development as well as incubation centres, adding that “government should be the biggest buyers for startups.”
He also advised the government on other measures to boost the economy and create more job opportunities for the youths.
“They need a reality budget, cut off unnecessary spending, priority should be on value adding sectors, salaries, relief and critical infrastructural development”.
“This is the time to take economic diversification seriously, the government need to support construction, manufacturing and more importantly the agricutural sector.The reliance on oil should come to an end,” he said.
While he commended the President Muhammadu Buhari government for halting rice importation, Dr AbduRaheem said the achievements recorded in local production should be consolidated by continuous improving on the standards.
The Executive Director, Involve Africa, Salma Hassan, said the webinar was part of the organisation’s effort to keep African youths informed and prepared for the post Covid-19 economy.
Involve Africa is a Pan-African youth driven development organisation working to increase and strengthen young people’s involvement in governance processes, social progress and peace building in Africa.
Its goal is to empower young Africans to play a critical role in Africa’s development by strengthening their participations in governance policy and processes, redirecting skills, intellect, resilience and energy to solve Africa’s governance and development challenges.
