The Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Mr Timothy Owoeye, on Saturday said the antidote to youth restiveness and unemployment remains skills acquisition.
Owoeye made this statement during the turning of the sod for the foundation laying of a workshop building which he donated to Federal Science and Technology College in Ilesha.
The speaker, who thanked the principals of the school for allowing him to donate the building, emphasised the importance of science and technology to the survival of any economy.
He also explained how it could create an avenue for youth engagement and employment.
“The biggest problem our nation is facing today stems from unemployment.
“It has become a major problem bedevilling the lives of Nigerian youth. causing increased militancy, violent crimes, kidnapping, unrest and socially delinquent behaviour.
“Youth unemployment is devastating to both the individual and the society as a whole, both psychologically and economically.
“Rising from our 60th independence anniversary, acquisition of skills remains the greatest antidote to unemployment and insecurity caused by youth restiveness and other forms of crimes in the society.
“At a time when prices of goods and almost everything is unbearable, we must begin to produce what we consume and technical education is key to the survival of any economy, especially a developing one like ours.”
The speaker, however, called on government at all levels to urgently begin to put funds in technical schools, as a way to relieve the burden of unemployment, crime and poverty.
“It should be noted that technical education and acquisition of skills remain the greatest antidote to the unemployment in Nigeria today.
“We as Nigerians have to produce what we consume and stop relying on imported goods.
“We should be able to produce little items within our local communities and the only way to get it done is through government investing in technical education, skills acquisition,” he said
Mrs Idowu Akinbamijo, the school’s Director of Principals, thanked the speaker for the donation of the workshop, saying the building donation was another milestone in the history of the school.
Akinbamijo said the building would boost the academic prowess of the students and would be very useful in technical education and training for the students.
NAN
