Young professionals in the country have been urged to finance, manage and support their businesses through federal government interventions.
Minister of State for Youth Development, Wisdom Ayodele who stated this, said such interventions was designed by the government to generate employment and create jobs for Nigerian youths.
Ayodele spoke in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital at the weekend at a one-day maiden Business Empowerment Summit with the theme: “Built to Thrive: Building Resilient Businesses in a Disruptive Economy” organised by the Ekiti State Chapter of the Young Professionals Forum.
Represented by his Technical Assistant, Nathaniel Famuyibo, the minister lamented that failure of the young people in business to access such interventions was partly responsible the rising unemployment in Nigeria.
He assured that the federal government will continue to work with the YPF towards raising the next generation of business leaders that will reshape the nation’s economy.
The minister disclosed that the Ministry in collaboration with YPF has put up a mechanism in place to ensure that young professionals judiciously invest in their businesses towards the eliminating of a disruptive economy.
“It is not all youths that know how to manage finances. Government has tried in all areas to make sure that youths are self-reliant. When loans and grants are made available to the youths, the money disappears into thin air and such youth will not be able to execute the business or even pay back the loan, or the grant is not used for what it is meant for.
“That is why we have unemployment fighting back at the country presently. What we are doing now is to make sure that it is only youths, then we give a helping hand for such business and idea not to die.
“We have identified various youths that are into various businesses. Some will have cash support, some will have tools and materials. I have also awarded landed property assistance to those that are doing fish farming and agriculture.
“There will be monitoring mechanism. The YPF has put up very good team and that is why we are partnering with them to do this,” the minister said.
The YPF President in Ekiti State, Mr Olaoluwa Adebiyi said the summit was organised to equip young professionals with the needed knowledge, skills and network to succeed.
Adebiyi called on the young professionals to sharpen their business acumen, gain valuable knowledge and insights from seasoned professionals, discover cutting-edge trends and stay ahead of the curve by learning about the latest advancements in shaping the business world.
He noted that the world of business is changing at an unprecedented pace through technological advancements, shifting consumer preferences and globalised landscape.
Present at the event which featured panel discussions, presentation of awards and cash gifts donation to winners of business pitching were the top government functionaries, captains of industry, young entrepreneurs and innovators.
