Kunle Adelabu
His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa, reinforces his reign as an educational and youth -centric one through the engagement with hundreds of youths and presentation of ICT equipment to secondary schools in Igbogbo.
The youth engagement programme, themed, “Curbing the menace of Unemployment: Causes, effects and Solutions”, was part of the activities marking the 10th coronation anniversary of the monarch, held at the Mickky Onas Hall, Bola Tinubu Road, Igbogbo, on Tuesday.
At the event, six secondary schools – Community Senior Secondary School Baiyeku; Zumtatul Senior Grammar School, Igbogbo; Oreyo Senior Grammar School,Igbogbo; Lagos State Girls Model College, Agunfoye; Reri Senior Secondary School, Offin and Lagos State Senior Civil Service Model College, Igbogbo, were presented with ICT equipment by the monarch to further support educational development in his domain.
Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, welcoming guests, residents, community youth and students to the well -attended event, said that the programme emphasises the importance attached to education and youth development by the Adeboruwa.
He stated that part of the pre -anniversary events was the training and mentoring of over 500 students in CBT in preparation for JAMB
Oba Kasali in his royal remarks thanked the planning committee led by the former Head of Service, Lagos State, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe and the Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA Chairman, Omo’ba Hammed Aroyewun, for the success of the anniversary events so far.
The royal father also thanked the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Wealth Creation & Employment and other guests that attended the event and resource persons for impacting knowledge on the students and youths.
He emphasised the need for youths to focus on their learning and also acquire skills to stem the challenges of unemployment.
Oba Adeboruwa also stressed the need for youths to be involved in farming to create employment and also for self -sufficiency.
Chairman, IBLCDA, Omo’ba Aroyewun in his remarks congratulated the Adeboruwa
“Of all the programmes that are outlined for the coronation anniversary, this particular programme is very important because we must prepare for tomorrow. We must reshape the perception of our youth and fully reorientate on the contemporary issues”
“Unemployment has caused serious economic crises and social challenges that have hindered development in society and created insecurity which is a major threat to our collective existence.
“I appreciate the committee which has put this topic together which is very helpful because our primary responsibility as a government is to ensure the protection of lives and properties and provision of job opportunities in collaboration with other major stakeholders.
While emphasising that unemployment has caused serious insecurity like kidnapping, theft and other social vices, like cultism which are common in primary and secondary schools, he stressed the need for productivity in tandem with certification.
He urged youths to endeavour to acquire skills and make themselves more useful to themselves and the society at large
Mrs Lolade Olasupo Aina, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Wealth Creation & Employment in her keynote address commended the royal father for his commitment to the development of Igbogbo and his people which she emphasised has also shown through the public lecture to address a critical issue affecting youth and the country.
The PS who was represented by a Director in the ministry said that unemployment is not the absence of jobs, but lack of value
She said that while the labour market, technology, and businesses have changed, the way our youths are prepared for jobs has not changed.
The keynote speaker stated that employers of labour are interested in problem -solving employees, adding that, ”the future does not belong to those with most certificates, it belongs to those who create value.”
She stated that youth who want to be different in life must be intentional about developing what she called “five capitals” – character, competence, creativity, collaboration and commerce.
In her presentation, Mrs Feyisayo Alayande, Executive Director, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, urges youth and students at the event to be intentional if they are to succeed in life.
She enumerated functions of LSETF and urged them to take advantage of services rendered by the institution – affordable finance, capacity building, business support, business collaboration and assisting businesses in having access to the market.
A panel session which included Director of Programme LSETF, representative of Ministry of Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, representative of Ministry of Youth & Social Development, and Mrs Arinola Okeowo -Ojediran, an agric industrialist, extensively discussed the theme.
In attendance were Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, former Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Builder Sesan Daini, former Chairman, IBLCDA, Mr Waheed Kasali, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Education and Mrs Kemi Kalesanwo, Director, Lagos State Agency for Mass Education, and Alhaji Nasril Andu Balogun, former Chairman, Igbogbo Day Planning Committee, Dr Adeleke Dankuwo among others.
