Featured

UNTIMELY CALL THAT BACKFIRED IN THE FACE OF MEDIOCRITY

Published

3 years ago

January 24, 2022

If truly President Muhammadu Buhari spoke to the Super Eagles team before the Tunisia game on sunday , the point for me is why hurriedly rushed the President to speak to the team ahead of a Round of 16 tie?

What level of hypocricy and sycophancy can we call this?

I know for a fact some people because they wanted to look good in the eyes of the President, they ill adviced him to talk to the boys in this early stage of the Competition.

Let us get it clear, there is nothing wrong with the President speaking with the boys( A fatherly call) but it is just too early in the competition to pull such stunt.

I remembered even as a young boy in Tunisia 1994, the Military Head of State then Gen. Sani Abacha spoke to the Eagles. The question is when did he talk to them, the day of the final between the Eagles and the Chipolopolos of Zambia.

That is a case of putting a call through to the team at the right time as the Number one citizen of the Country, not in the round of sixteen of the Nations Cup. A competition that in the last two decades ,getting to the last four is almost our birthright even with the most challenging Eagles side.

Let us not forget that Nigeria is not a small footballing country on the continent like the likes of Comoros who are playing in a knock out phase of a Nations Cup for the very first time in their history when they play cameroon . So if the President of Comoros for example put this kind of call through to the players at this stage, it is totally understandable and in order not a country like ours.

Unfortunately those that hurriedly convinced the President to speak to the team, were actually not thinking of the team but did that for personal gains. They wanted to be seen as working and also used that to further penetrate Aso Rock.

Infact the charades started in the Group stage when we started taking the CBN Governor to the Dressing Room of the players to announce promises upon promises which for me were total distractions and uncalled for.

We just like doing things upside down for various selfish motives and too bad this time around our mediocrity was exposed very early.

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Featured

Olawande’s 21st Century Skills initiative, A Move Towards Re-fertilization Of Nigerian Youths

Published

2 days ago

November 6, 2024

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

Transforming the Nigeria youths to equip the current and future generations with 21st century skills is important. The Africa and National Youth Day 2024 is therefore a historic moment to put a need 21st century skills at the forefront toward the the growth and development of all.

Nigeria as a nation has made meaningful progress in education over the past 60 years, with more girls in school and more students in Higher education system than ever before.

Reports showed that School completion rates have increased from 2000 to 2022 at all levels.

Still, these gains are insufficient to prepare Nigerians youth for the 21st century and its fast-changing professional landscape. By 2030, roughly 60 million jobs iin Nigeria and 230 million in Africa will demand digital skills. Classroom practices must shift to meet these future employability needs and nurture creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving.

Nigeria recorded the largest population of young people in the continent of Africa that means a 21st century skills is critical to to equip the current and future generations.

Based on this, Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande who has been promoter and advocate of digital skiill even before he became Minister has once again initiate digital literacy programmes, technical skills empowerment and leadership insight and urged young people to actively develop and adopt crucial 21st-century skills to effectively combat the rising issue of unemployment.

When he was Minister Youth for State, he introducing the Youth Development Fund to support young entrepreneurs, implementing the Youth Empowerment Program, training over 10,000 young people in vocational skills, establishing the Youth Mentorship Initiative, pairing young people with experienced professionals, and developing the National Youth Policy, providing a framework for youth development.

He also initiated the “One Youth One Ward” initiative to tackle drug abuse, established the Youth Innovation Hub, hosted the National Youth Conference, rolled out the Youth Volunteer Program, fostered partnerships with private sector organizations amongst others.

He has implement innovative programs, foster strategic partnerships, and demonstrated unwavering commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities.

Now Minister of Youth without doubt has been at the forefront of this journey, demonstrating unwavering dedication to empowering Nigerians youth even from his school days.

Comrade Ayodele Olawande made this appeal today in Abuja during the Africa and National Youth Day Celebration with the theme : ‘ Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century’ and sub-theme: ‘Building a Resilient Education System: A New Hope for Nigerian Youth’,

He said such skills like critical thinking, digital literacy, and effective communications are essential tools for navigating the increasingly competitive job markets.

Olawande strongly advocated for the youth of Nigeria to prioritize the investment of their time and put efforts in developing a diverse range of essential skills and competencies by actively engaging in the pursuit that can significantly enhance their employability that will make them attractive candidates before their potential employers.

According to the Minister, “acquiring these skills will equip youth to confidently navigate the complexities and demands of an increasingly competitive job market, where adaptability and innovation are crucial. This proactive approach plays a vital role in addressing the rising unemployment crisis that has been affecting many young Nigerians today.”

“Through dedicated skill development, they can not only improve their job prospects but also lay the groundwork for sustainable career growth and success in the long run. In this rapidly evolving economic landscape, embracing continuous learning and professional development is not just beneficial; it is essential for achieving one’s career aspirations,” he explained.

The Minister further explained that the theme, “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century,” serves as a powerful endorsement of the One Youth Two Skills initiative, adding that it will foster practical skills alongside formal education.

Olawande stated : “This initiative aims to empower youth and create sustainable employment opportunities. Ultimately, the initiative is a key component of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to eliminate unemployment and promote economic growth across the continent”.

In his paper presentation, Professor Ahmed Adamu, a lecturer at Nile University, Abuja, stated that by next year, 85 million jobs will be lost due to technological advancements, while 97 million new jobs are expected to be created.

Professor Adamu stressed that the future job market will heavily favour those individuals who proactively seek to acquire new skills and adapt to the evolving technological landscape.

Adamu said that for one to go far in whatever they are doing, they must be self-disciplined, duly intelligent and have the consistency in learning.

However, the minister of Youth led the teaming youths on a road walk from the Ministry to BMO Event Centre to Celebrate Africa and National Youth Day.

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