Pursue Learning, Skill Acquisition For Growth – Peter Obi To Youths

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has advised Nigerian youths to pursue learning and acquire skills for personal growth.

Peter Obi said this on Monday, in a statement, to mark World Youth Skills Day, on his X handle.

Obi also called on federal and state governments to invest more in Nigerian youths to grow the economy. He advised that policies should be made to ensure an easy-to-do business environment for small businesses.

He said investing in youths acquiring skills would help in addressing the country’s youth unemployment and ensure sustainable development for the country.

“With our predominantly youthful population, where more than half of the people are at their productive age, investing in youth skills will spur innovation and entrepreneurship that will result in the establishment of MSMEs which will catalyze economic growth and development in the nation.

“As I have always maintained, small businesses, borne out of youth skills, innovation and entrepreneurship, contribute in different ways to the growth and development of so many countries, especially in exemplary comparable countries like; China, India, and Indonesia, to mention a few, which are large in population and have similar demographic features to Nigeria.

“It is their small businesses and their support for their youth skills, innovation and technology that are propelling their growth,” Obi said.

The former governor of Anambra State called on governments to prioritize practical education and empowerment programmes for youths.

Obi said there would be reduction in crimes in the country if youths’ unemployment were addressed.

“This day, therefore, reminds us, as leaders, to prioritize investment in youths through practical education, youth skills empowerment and support for innovation and entrepreneurship.

“This will aid our journey from consumption to production, reduce crime in society and drastically reduce unemployment.

“I also call on Nigerian youths to pursue learning, self-development and skills acquisition for growth,” he said.