By Joy Odor
Nigeria has been urged to move in the direction of joining the morden global practice in creativity and self reliance as it will empower vulnerable youths and boost their interest in cultural and arts.
The Secretary General for Nigerian National Commission for United Nations Educational Scienctific Cultural Organization (NATCOM–UNESCO), Mr. Lateef Olagunju stated this in his opening remark during the 2 day workshop on Cultural Creativity for Youth Skills Development holding at Education Resource Center Abuja.
He said the 2 day workshop will promote and support young people in the use of their talent and entrepreneurial skills that would enhance access to culture and creative tools, hence supporting the development of creativity amongst the youths.
According to him, the workshop would also go a long way in creating awareness on cultural creativity among youth, parents, teachers and other stakeholders in the society.
Mr Olagunju was of the opinion that empowering youth through social and economic opportunities that cultural and creative development can offer, is at the heart of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions.
“The ability to develop innovative skills is not merely a function of the mind, but also a function of key behaviors that optimize the youth brains for discovery.
“In it’s generation 2030 Africa 2.0 report, UNICEF argued that developing skills amongst youth is germane in helping the next generation in labour markets of increased automation, technology and conventional jobs.
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UNICEF gives action points for every African country to enhance cultural creativities for youth skills devey. This will go a long way in reducing poverty” he said.
Declaring the workshop open, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Sonny Echono said the weapon to fight unemployment and truancy, lies in cultural creativities for youth skills development, hence creativity contributes to building open, socially inclusive and pluralistic societies.
The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the Director, Technical and Science Education Department in the Ministry, Mrs Elizabeth Adedigba called for the support and engagement of youths to acquire skills that would make them self-productive.
According to him, one of the approaches of the present administration toward achieving its agenda of Economy Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) was skills acquisition, and job creation for its teaming youth population.
Mr Echono called on youths to stir up their potential in creativity to challenge the status quo of white collar jobs.
“Achieving inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities requires collective commitment of investing in culture and creativity.
“Local learning innovation and development processes are strengthened when new talents are nurtured.
“The government is paying special attention to empowering young people so as to bring about holistic vision of culture and sustainable development for both effective system of governance of culture and the flourishing of vibrant creative sector,” he said.
Also in his address at the workshop, the Director, Educational Planning Research and Development (EPRD), Mr. Fashina Kayode Julius mentioned that culture plays an essential role in promoting sustainable social and economic development for future generations.
According to him, youths can act as a bridge and key agents in promoting peace and inter-cultural understanding, saying the event is necessitatted by the need to create awareness on the importance of enhancing entrepreneurial skills for young Nigerians in cultural creativity for sustainable development.
Mr Julius encouraged youths to acquire some skills to reduce over dependenc and search for white collar jobs such as furniture making, bakery, shoe making, beg making etc.
He urged all participants to enjoy the programme that will create awareness and enlighten the youths on the need to develop skills that would enable them become employer of labour and contribute meaningfully to the economy of the country.
