A'IBOM MARKS 2021 WORLD YOUTH SKILLS DAY

...youths urged to be productive, resourceful 

Akwa Ibom State Government has joined the global community to mark the 2021 World Youth Skills day with the Theme; REIMAGINING YOUTH SKILLS POST PANDEMIC organized by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor  Udom Emmanuel on Skills Development.

Held at the conference Hall of Skills Development office, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The event featured Stakeholders in the Skills sector, Government officials, Youth groups, Trainees, Facilitators, Small & Medium Enterprise operators, Enterpreneurs, and NGOs.In his opening remarks, Pastor Godwin George, a Director in the Skills Development office hinted the attendees, that World Youth Skills Day is set aside by the UN to celebrate skillful youths, and also enlighten youths on the need to learn a trade for the betterment of their future. 

Pastor George urged the participants to be focused, productive and resourceful while assuring them that the summit will be impactful. He however thanked the State Governor for creating Skills development office, and for choosing a dynamic and proactive personality. In her remarks, Rt Hon. Alice Ekpenyong, the SSA to Governor on Skills Development highlighted the significance of World Youth Skills Day and why every Youth must as a matter of necessity acquire at least a skill.

She posited that the UN designated day with the theme: "REIMAGINING YOUTH SKILLS POST PANDEMIC", seeks to bring the strategic importance of equipping young people with education and skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship into the limelight.

"According to United Nations, youth have been even more severely affected by the COVID-19 crisis than adults. It has had an effect on education and training due to closure of institutions worldwide, and the subsequent shift to online learning". She stated. She added that, globally, ILO estimates show that youth employment fell by 8.7 per cent in 2020, compared with 3.7 per cent for adults.,thus the youth skillful nature must be re-examined, and re-imagined to tighten the loopholes, and create more opportunities for youths to explore which will further help to curb youth restiveness, promote self reliance, give youths access to well paid jobs, and above all make them contribute to the economic revolution of our State, and country at large. 

Rt. Hon. Alice Ekpenyong further challenged all youths not to wait for government to do everything for them, and that government on her part has the responsibility of creating conducive environment, and relevant platforms for youths to take advantage of anytime any day.

In a related development, SA to the Governor on Entrepreneurial Development, Mrs Meflyn Anwana lauded Governor Udom Emmanuel for the Dakkada Philosophy that has inspired the Enterprise Spirit in the average AkwaIbomite and His commitment to Human Capital/manpower development.

She charged youths to  acquire a skill, and develop it in a bid to contribute to societal advancement and reposition for local & global trade engagements considering the evolving technological space .

On his part, SSA on youth matters, Mr. Aniefiok Iwaudofia commended the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, whom he described as a visionary leader who has harnessed the potentials and demographic dividends of the young people through enormous investment in youth development. 

He urged the youths to take advantage of every window of opportunity given by His Excellency to acquire and enhance their skills to be relevant in the global system where problem solvers are leading the space with burgeoning status. 

Goodwill messages were received from SSA to the Governor on Marketing and Brand Management, Mr. Ime Uwah, Principal Training Development Officer of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Mary Umoh; Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Akwa Ibom, Cyril Umoren; the international president of Female Youths, Esta Nta, Mr. Essien Ndueso, SA to the Governor on Research & Documentation.