The Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Professor Muhammed Mustapaha Akanbi SAN, has called on Nigerian youth to place priory attention to the attainment of sound education and effective skills acquisition for them to be economically independent.
Professor Akanbi made the call on Sunday (August 2, 2020) in his address at the second anniversary of the Intellect Youth Development Forum (IYDF), a Non Governmental Youth Organisation in Alanamu community, held at Olufadi compound, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
The KWASU Vice Chancellor identified skills acquisition as a catalyst for self actualisation and sustainable societal development, pointing out that the current reality has shown that while colla jobs are not easy to come by in the present day Nigeria.
Professor Akanbi who was represented at the occasion by his Personal Assistant, Is’haq Babatunde, said the reason youth unemployment becomes a common phenomenon in the country is because most of Nigerian youth are yet to embrace skill acquisition.
The KWASU boss affirmed that sound and qualitative education, vocational skills are potent tools towards fighting poverty, economic independent and societal crises.
“KWASU under my leadership has meticulously designed various vocational trainings as part of school curriculum in order to make KWASU graduates become job creators rather than job seekers after graduation”
“Sound education with vocational skills will ultimately prepare students for life challenges after graduation and that is our ultimate goal in KWASU” Professor Akanbi added.
Professor Akanbi who was the guest of honour at the occasion commended the organisers of the event for championing the cause of progress, and advancement of the community with a call to other well meaning members of the community to join hands with IYDF in it’s bids to usher in more developmental projects and programmes to the community using the forum as a good platform.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President of IYDF, Mr Sulaiman Muhammad Akata, said the forum was formed last year with the aim of creating a wealthy and healthy society, added that it chooses to speak for the voiceless and unheard voices in the community.
He said the association is not politically inclined but maintained a good relationship with government and personalities in the area of development and progress.
Akata hinted that the forum had recorded tremendous achievements in the areas of job opportunities, various human empowerments and a host of moral and financial assistances.
The event also featured presentation of awards to some selected eight personalities in the area in recognition of their unflinching support to the forum and invaluable contributions to the advancement of Alanamu community.
The awardees included the Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin who doubles as the Grand Patron of IYDF, Alhaji Bubakar Akanbi Jos; the IYDF Patron Ustaz Issa Olu-Fadi; Alhaji Lukman Nasiru Jawondo; and Professor Usman Lamidi Ajao.
Others were Professor Aliu Ajibola Akanbi II; Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Funsho Ambali; Dr Ayinde Muhammad Abdullahi; and Dr Muhammad Murtala Omotosho.
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