Students of higher institutions of learning have been admonished to be committed towards gaining entrepreneurial knowledge as part of their training, for self-sustenance after school.
The charge was made by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, in his remarks at a symposium, organized by the Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Students Association (AERUDSA), of the University.
Represented at the symposium titled, “Nigerian Youth and Jobs: Prospects and Challenges”, by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Chryss Onwuka, the Vice-Chancellor urged the students to strive towards learning a vocation and resist the frustrating tendencies of running after the elusive white-collar jobs.
The Guest Lecturer, Mrs. Oyekemi Wilson, observed that since more than half of the nation’s population is under the age of 30, it can be safely asserted that her economy should be youth-driven.
Mrs. Wilson noted that entrepreneurial skills among youth would assist the nation in tackling unemployment as well as reducing crime, but cautioned of constraints of a poor knowledge-based economy, low competitive spirit, fund shortage, amongst others.
Earlier in his Welcome Address, the President of the Association, Comrade Hammed Ayotunde Giyath, acknowledged the efforts of the University Management in the areas of entrepreneurship education, describing the University as a foremost centre of academic excellence.