Acquire skills, secure your future, Suberu foundation urges youths

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Yusuf John-Suberu Foundation, a non-profit organisation, has encouraged Nigerian youths to develop essential entrepreneurial skills to navigate and overcome the current economic challenges facing the nation.

The founder, Dr Yusuf Suberu gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

Suberu said that formal education provided valuable degrees and certificates.

He added that it was equally crucial for Nigerian youths to supplement their knowledge with practical entrepreneurial skills, preparing them for real-world challenges and opportunities.

He said that Nigeria’s large youth population presented a significant opportunity for the country to become a global economic powerhouse, provided its young people could harness their potential by developing entrepreneurial skills.

“Nigerian youths should strive to excel in entrepreneurial skills by acquiring expertise that will enable them to not only earn a decent living but also create job opportunities for others,”he said.

The founder noted that inspite of the economic downturn, there were still plenty of opportunities for resourceful individuals to make a fortune in sectors like agriculture and others, where millions of Naira could be earned with the right approach.

He emphasised the importance of short-term skill acquisition training for Nigerian youths, saying it would help them gain new skills, knowledge, and perspectives to succeed in their chosen fields.

“I believe that self-reliance is the foundation upon which a life of independence, confidence, and achievement is built, and I always encourage our young people to adopt this mindset.

“it’s unrealistic for recent graduates to expect a lavish lifestyle shortly after completing their studies, thinking that a salaried job alone will suffice to achieve this goal,”he said.

Suberu encouraged young people to make a positive impact on national security by embracing good behavior and rejecting restiveness.

He called on Nigerian youths to take ownership of their country’s future and work towards building a greater Nigeria while emphasising the critical role young people played in shaping the nation’s destiny.

“One of our mission is to empower Nigerian youths to become active citizens, equipped to address societal challenges and contribute to the country’s growth and development.

“We believe in the potential of our youths to transform Nigeria. We will continue to support and mentor them to become leaders and change-makers,” he said.