*The Nigerian Young Professional Forum (NYPF) has charged stakeholders in the Niger Delta to focus on human capital development through Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME) so as to build a better region.
The Chairman, NYPF, Mr. Moses Siasiah weekend gave the advised during the 2nd Niger Delta Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME) Summit held in Asaba, Delta State, saying the youths in the region are hungry for leadership and looking for platform to excel.
Speaking on the theme, “Stimulating MSME’s Growth Towards Post Covid 19 Recovery” he said as a matter of regional urgency, stakeholders must work constructively and deliberately to change the narrative of the young people from crimes such as kidnapping and banditry to a more meaningful venture that can build their talent and the region.
While calling on those that can tap into the talents of participants and make it viable through analysis to identify the skills, idealism, interest of every individual before training, he condemned those eloping with grants giving to them to establish themselves instead of redirecting their energy to viable things.
“We must introduce digital and industrial revolution within our youths. Do a lot of mind set check, the top to bottom approach is what we see in our country today, there should be a deliberate button to top approach, this is the only way you can change these challenges you’ve mentioned” he said.
“The focus of leadership with the region should not be contract award and procurement but need to build our young ones. We must introduce culture of entrepreneurship while human capacity advancement should be the focus of our leaders. Create leaders for the future, not political affiliations”
The Managing Director of Blue Camel Energy, Mr Suleman Yusuf in his testimony, said as a country we are in a pathetic state “beyond youth unemployment we have other social vises” adding that the only reason we can’t enjoy our success and keep leaving like a prisoner is because the youths don’t have a jobs.
“Federal and State have significant roles to play, we need to build leaders not politicians, leaders think about the future while politicians think about the next election”,human capacity builds the future not roads and bridge buildings though still important but not the main thing”, he said.
Mr Suleman promised to setup a platform of #25 million for five persons in Niger Delta to enable him replicate and expand what he is doing in the northern part of the country.
He therefore took time to outline the 14p of MSME ranging from planning,place, people, product identification, price to mention but a few.
Also speaking, Dr Amah Ikoro, Nigerian Content and Monitoring Boards representative said they have put funds together to get started, saying that 50 million dollars have been set aside for those who wants to kick start their activities with their facilities
He thanked the organizers of the event and assured them of his continues support to the MSME’s and enjoined all to make sure Nigeria succeeds.
