Home Exclusive 40% of Nigerian youths jobless — Adesina

40% of Nigerian youths jobless — Adesina

by Our Reporter
The President of African Development Bank, AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has lamented the state of joblessness among Nigerians, saying that about 40 percent of youths are unemployed.
Dr. Adesina, who made the disclosure in a lecture he delivered during the 80th birthday celebration of General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, said the youths are discouraged, angry and restless, as they look at a future that does not give them hope.
In the lecture titled, “Nigeria – a country of many nations:  a quest for national integration”, Dr. Adesina , however said all hope is not lost as youths have a vital role to play if the country should arrive on its destined destination.

Meanwhile, a youth group, under the aegis of Prudent Youth Association of Nigeria, PYAN, has called, Dr Akinwumi Adesina to join the race for 2023 presidential election.

The group said in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Mr  Haruna Awode that Adesina has outstanding qualities needed at the critical moment to address the myriad of problems confronting Nigeria as a nation.

Speaking further, Dr. Adesina noted that,  “For Nigeria to be all that it can be, the youth of Nigeria must be all they can be. “

He said, “The future of Nigeria depends on what it does today with its dynamic youth population. This demographic advantage must be turned into a first-rate and well-trained workforce, for Nigeria, for the region, and for the world.

“We should prioritize investments in the youth: in up skilling them for the jobs of the future, not the jobs of the past; by moving away from so-called youth empowerment to youth investment; to opening up the social and political space to the youth to air their views and become a positive force for national development; and for ensuring that that we create youth-based wealth.

“From the East to the West, from the North to the South, there must be a sea change in economic, financial, and business opportunities for young Nigerians.

“The old must give way to the new. And there must be a corresponding generational transfer of power and wealth to the youth. The popular folk talk should no longer be “the young shall grow,” it should, rather, be: “the young have arrived.”

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