A Ghanaian don, Prof. Kwando Owusu, has asked Nigerians, especially youths to embrace entrepreneurship and innovation in tackling the myriad of challenges in the country.
Owusu, who is the Director for Climate and Sustainability Studies College of Basic and Applied Science, University of Ghana, stated this during the 7th Polytechnic Lecture Series of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo( RUGIPO) on Monday.
The lecture is titled :” Entrepreneurship Development in Nigeria, the Place of Polytechnic Educatio.”
Represented by Mr Addey Ayeh, a lecturer in the university, Owusu said that the major problem that the country was facing was the youth unemployment, stating that youths should not depend on government but be self reliant.
“What has really caused the problem we have in Nigeria now? The major problem is youth unemployment.
“They get out of school and they are not self-reliant, not self-dependent.
“They are not doing anything with whatever they have learned from school. It has killed the youth and they say the government is not working.
“Even if you have not been employed, employ yourself with , your skills, then employ people.,” he said.
He asked Nigerians especially the youths, to think out of the box and embrace technology and innovation so that the country would grow.
The don said that education stakeholders should fund polytechnicc education because it was a place that technical skills were acquired.
According to him, various polytechnic in the country should partner with industries and companies as a way for proper funding of innovations.
“If the government starts seeing that these industries are partnering now, firms are partnering. ( Before you know it, they will come in,” he said.
Owusu advocated adequate funding for polytechnic education in Nigeria in ensuring entrepreneurship development that would transform the country’s economy.
He said that the polytechnic education was critical to entrepreneurship, asking government to enhance entrepreneurship growth by providing required resources.
In his remarks, the Acting Rector of RUGIPO, Mr Samuel Olusegun Adegun, said that if Africa must develop, it must prioritize entrepreneurship and the government bring up clear policy on entrepreneurship.
Adegun stated that technical education could not be eroded for any nations meant for development.
He explained that the current state of the Nigerian economy made the development of entrepreneurship compelling.
The rector asked Nigerian government to fund polytechnic education by creating an environment that was conducive for innovation and entrepreneurship.
“Noting the very clear fact that polytechnic education is capital-intensive by its focus on practical training, the need for increased funding is too glaring to be ignored.
“It is thus not out of place for government at all levels to be deliberate in adopting policies which make more resources available for polytechnic education.
“Such policies are certain wmake polytechnic education much more fit as the fulcrum of entrepreneurship development,” he said.
