By Edito Skills
By Olufunmi
The Adolescent Health and Information Project (AHIP) has urged young people to embrace skills acquisition as a means of achieving self-reliance, economic empowerment and sustainable national development.
The Executive Director of AHIP, Dr Mairo Bello, stated this in a statement issued to newsmen on Wednesday in Kano.
According the director, the theme of this year’s World Youth Skills Day is: “Skills For A Shared Future.”
Bello said the day underscores the need for young people to acquire technical, vocational, entrepreneurial and digital skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy.
“Skills remain lifelong assets that cannot be taken away and will continue to provide opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.
“Unlike money, which can be spent, or jobs that may be lost, skills remain with an individual and can always serve as a source of livelihood and empowerment,” she said.
Bello further explained that many successful entrepreneurs and professionals began with a single skill, which they developed into sustainable careers and businesses.
She added that investment in skills development was one of the most effective strategies for tackling youth unemployment, reducing poverty and addressing social inequality.
“Employers now place greater value on competence, creativity, innovation and problem-solving abilities alongside academic qualifications,” the director said.
She called on governments, educational institutions, development partners, private sector and community leaders to expand access to quality technical, vocational and digital skills programmes, particularly for adolescents, girls and other vulnerable groups.
The executive director said such investments were essential to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s youthful population and accelerate national development.
She also urged young people to embrace lifelong learning by taking advantage of opportunities in vocational training, internships, mentorship, entrepreneurship development and digital literacy.
Bello reaffirmed AHIP’s commitment to promoting adolescent development, youth empowerment and inclusive opportunities through advocacy, capacity building and community-based interventions.
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