Unemployment: CAN Urges Youths To Embrace Entrepreneurship

The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Enugu State chapter, has urged Christian youths to embrace entrepreneurship aimed at making them independent and self-reliant.

The Chairman of YOWICAN Enugu, Samuel Ani, made the call during a
one-day summit organised by the association at the weekend, to share ideas and perspective leveraging entrepreneurship to tackle youth unemployment and restiveness.

The event which themed “Let the Christian Youth Thrive,” was held at Grace Cathedral, Enugu and brought together young people from different facet of life.

Speaking during the summit, Ani said the summit was designed to spark a mindset shift among Christian youths, while also calling on the government at all levels to provide an enabling playing fields for youths to thrive.

He expressed gratitude to God for making the programme a reality, describing it as essential to address growing unemployment in the country.

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, decried government policies that marginalised the youth, describing them as elite-focused and disconnected from grassroots realities.

Delivering a message on “Curbing Youth Restiveness Through Entrepreneurship” the don called on young people to pursue skill acquisition as a tool for economic freedom.

In his remark, Bishop Goddy Madu, of the Grace Cathedral, Enugu, pointed out the gap between government policies and youth realities.

He encouraged religious leaders to remain consistent in guiding and mentoring youths, even when their attention appears distracted.

Adding a practical dimension to the summit, a legal practitioner and President, Nnenna Anozie Foundation, Mrs. Nnenna Anozie, announced a collaborative effort with Jobberman Nigeria and MasterCard Foundation to train participants on soft and entrepreneurial skills.

She commended the organisers of the event for combining social and spiritual activities.

The event, brought together religious leaders, youth advocates, development partners, policymakers, including Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Comrade Fidelis Edeh, alongside Pioneer President of YOWICAN and Deputy Rector, Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, Dr Emeka Ejim.