Nigeria’s Future Depends On Knowledge, Talent Industry – Commissioner

As part of measures of fixing the Nigerian economy and placing the country on an economic pedestal among the comity of nations, pundits are of the view that more attention should be directed towards the development of the knowledge and talent industry.
According to the pundits, the hope for a promising and vibrant economy in Nigeria would remain elusive, if the creative abilities of youths, who are at the centre of every production economy, are not well utilised.
A technocrat and public affairs analyst, Sir, Precious Barido, who spoke with The Port Harcourt Metro in an interview in Port Harcourt said, a key factor in the country’s economic diversification policy should be the functional harnessing and exploration of youths’ potentials through investment in the knowledge and talent industry.
Sir Barido, who is a member of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education, Board (UBEB) in Rivers State in charge of services, said, “All Nigerian youths are endowed with special talents but the exigencies of the times such as failed promises from the leaders, make them to channel their talents negatively, with unpleasant consequences on the large society. Youths are noted for their energetic vitality and vigour, and when these potentials are misplaced, they produce negative results.” Barido, who is also the South South leader of United Farmers Produce and Export Association of Nigeria said, investment in talent industry will create employment for the teeming youths of the country as “they will find delight in exercising their minds in areas of the peculiar economic advantages and become self-sufficient and fulfilled in life.”
He advocated for a total change in the reward system in the country, stating that budding talents should be encouraged and developed to their fullest potentials. This according to him, will be a spur to other young ones to look inwardly for their development rather than resorting to crime and other social vices.
He added that most youths have the conviction that success can only be attained through working in the oil companies, noting that all developed nations depend on the efficiency of the creativity industry. “Youths are not just potential leaders, but embodiments of development themselves, all that is needed is to change the mindset of white colar jobs, and explore the inherent talents.”
He recalled that, recently, two pupils from Pue, community in Khana LGA, emerged the best in literacy aptitude in the entire country, and have already benefited from the benevolence of the Rivers State Governor with a scholarship of N10,000,000 each.
In his final analysis, Barido, who is also the Deputy National President of the Notore Branch of the Chemical and Metallic Products Senior Staff Association, said, the private sector should complement the efforts of Government in promoting enterprise development among youths.

By: Taneh Beemene