The Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment has organised a Mindset Re-orientation programme, “Realities of the Global Job Market”, for youths in the State in a bid to tackle the challenges of unemployment.
While declaring the event open, the Honourable Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke, stated that the programme aimed to create entrepreneurship skills, inculcating a positive mindset and nurturing the youths through the path of growth.
She advised the participants to confront the issue of unemployment with a complete reorientation of their mindset, noting that the dearth of white-collar jobs has made it expedient to embrace a flexible and growth mindset, whilst facing the realities of the dynamic labour market.
Her words: “A well re-orientated and empowered youth would have been well educated, informed and equipped with the necessary information on vocational competence and other 21st Century skills needed to survive in the present age and also excel.
The Commissioner maintained that the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu is confident that the re-orientation of youths would redefine economic empowerment and change the present narrative.
“The State Government, through this programme, will train you to face the realities of life in the labour market by encouraging you to see the inherent benefits in technical and vocational skills training. We are enhancing the leadership and employability skills of youths to propel you towards achieving great success in future”, Arobieke said.
She, therefore, urged the participants to be focused and make ample use of the opportunity inherent in the programme.
Mr. Adeleke John Olufade, one of the facilitators, spoke on the realities of the global job market and how everyone with a sellable skill can find work on the internet from people around the world, who are ready to employ and pay you for the needed skills.
He said, “People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents are. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. As such, you must be ready to upgrade your knowledge and maximise every training opportunity. Success doesn’t come to you; you go to it”.
Olufade further stated that the world now thrives on self-motivation, innovation and entrepreneurship, stressing that the real challenge is deciding on the best option or the sequence of your choices.
In her contribution, Mrs. Victoria Ayo Daniel of the Lagos State Wellness Centre spoke extensively on Mental Wellness, describing the effects of unemployment on individuals, especially the youths as Psychological, Social and Physiological.
She emphasised that these effects can erode their confidence, lead to social isolation and ill health.
