Kwara Youths have been urged on creative thinking, business development and wealth creation in order to reduce the rate of unemployment in the society.
An entrepreneur and former Group Head, NAL Merchant Bank, Alhaji Babatunde Malik Salami gave the charge on Tuesday at Kwara Hotel, Ilorin, while delivering a lecture titled; ‘Wealth Creation and Investment Opportunities in Modern World’ during public lecture and induction of Kwara Gentlemen’s club executives.
According to him, the Economic Active Population (ages 15-64) in Nigeria is estimated at 120 million out of which 14 per cent are unemployed while another 24 per cent are underemployed.
Speaking further, Salami said the nation must harness its informal economy and leverage on its full potentials to emerge from the shackles of third world league.
He listed constrained access to local and international markets, infrastructure deficit, inadequate access to finance and the absence of a credit policy and inconsistent government policy as obstacles to business opportunities.
The Guest Speaker urged the youth to develop a passion to create something novel and useful adding that, without passion resources will seemingly remain inadequate.
Delivering his address titled; ‘The need for an undiluted unity,’ the President of Gentlemen’s Club, Ilorin, Comrade Abbas Sakariyah said, “It’s noteworthy that few months into our coming together, we have already achieved what clubs that had being in existence for decades could not achieve.”
He urged Com Yinka Dallas and Engr Mumeen Lah – two members of the club elected Ekiti and Ilorin East Local Government Chairmen respectively to remain on the positive side of history.
“We want to come back her celebrating the emergence of governors, ministers, members of Federal House of Representatives, Commissioners and Special Advisers.
Members of the newly inaugurated executives include; Ayodele Isaiah (Vice President), Yinka Hassan Okoh (Sec Gen), Kayode Ahmed (Welfare Sec) and Barr. Lukman Balogun (Legal Adviser).
Others are; Adeoti Oluwaseyi as Financial Secretary, Barr. AbdulHakeem Owolabi, Publicity Secretary, Abdullahi Musbau, Treasurer, Opaleye Gabriel, Asst. Secretary General and Rotimi Ibidamitan as Chief Whip.
In attendance was the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Alh Kale Ayo and Board of Trustees Chairman of the club, Amb. Yahaya Seriki Gambari among others
