To checkmate the rising trend of unemployment in the country, Sterling Bank Plc has assured of its continued support to youths who are determined to develop their entrepreneurship skills and become employers of labour.

Mr. Shina Atilola, the Group Head, Strategy & Communications, who represented the Chief Financial Officer of the bank, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, at the 2014 “Get Ready for Work” concert organised by the bank in Ibadan explained that such support will be in terms of soft loans and grants.

Atilola noted that with the alarming increase in unemployment rate in the country, “our youths must begin to change their mindset about being employed in the banking, oil or telecommunications sectors and now begin to think of how they will become self-employed and even employers of labour thereby contributing meaningfully to the economic growth of the country.

Also, the various speakers at the event charged Nigerian youths to begin to see themselves as world changers and make necessary impact in their environment.

Speakers at the event, which held at Are Lanre Kakanfo Inn, Ibadan, include Mrs. Ronke Olubanjo, the Managing Director of DGV Academy, Ibadan; Mrs. Iyaduni Olubode, Executive Director, LEAP Africa; Mr. Muyiwa Afolabi of Frontiers International Services; Mr. Obinna Ekezie of Wakanow.com and Mr. Awoyemi Opeyemi of Jobberman. Over 2000 youths attended the concert.

Mrs. Olubanjo who spoke on “How to Be Your Own Boss” urged youths in the country to change their mindset about searching endlessly for white collar jobs after graduation but rather look for opportunities around them, acquire specialised skills and make the best out of it.

Her words: “Education is fantastic. For everything you want to be in life, education is basic. If after years of graduation, you still find it difficult to get a job, stop searching, there is a skill in you that you are yet to discover because in everyone there is a set of skills apart from the education you have acquired. Discover yourself and make the best of it. We are all blessed with equal opportunities but we create barriers for ourselves.”


Source: Sun