Stakeholders Task Women, Youths On ICT Oppotunities

Stakeholders in youth development have called on Nigerian youths and women, especially in the North-East, to leverage on opportunities in ICT and agriculture to equip themselves for future challenges.
They made the call  recently, during a virtual workshop organised by ‘Future Technology International Valley (FTIV)’, aimed at enlightening participants on existing and future opportunities for small businesses and start-up.
The Tide’s source reports that the theme for the meeting was “Unlocking opportunities in businesses in the North-East.’’
Founder of FTIV, Dr Mohammed  Kyari, noted that poverty cycles can only be broken through education, which will awaken innovative ideas that can address societal challenges.
Kyari disclosed that FTIV, a technology-based valley and social enterprise, provides one-stop technology solutions and mentorship services where new skills and knowledge are generated.
“Available statistics show that over 70% of the population in north-eastern Nigeria is below 45 years old.
“These persons who constitute the active and work age group in the region need strong education, skills acquisition, employment opportunities and economic empowerment.
“This is by providing necessary training and skills driven by job market needs and demands associated with human development”, he said.
On his part, the  Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of INLAKS limited,  Mr Kyari Bukar, who spoke on the topic: “Technology Start-Up and Economic Empowerment”, said several strategic business units were vital to economic advancement.
Bukar  charged participants to be insightful and focus on opportunities that would further develop the North-East.
He also urged FTIV to focus on trainings, scholarships, skills acquisition, saying that  such  are parameters that ensure development.
The  immediate past Director General (DG) of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN),  Dr Dikko Radda, spoke extensively on unlocking opportunities in the North East.
Radda, who was represented by Mr Onesi Lawani, spoke on,  “Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in the North East: Challenges and Opportunities.”
According to him,  available research reveals that there was still a lot of work to be done to improve and tap into opportunities in the region.
“Access to finance is not the only challenge to unlocking opportunities. A lot needs to be done between the private and the government in partnership and policies to benefit the public,’’ he said.