The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has said that the blue economy is key to youth employment in the country.
The minister tasked the youths to take advantage of the potential in the maritime sector to contribute immensely to the diversification initiatives of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Oyetola spoke on Friday in Lagos at a conference organised by the University of Lagos under the Employment Transition Programme.
The conference was tagged “Blue Industry Career Insights”.
“The blue economy is not just about the sea, it is about the myriad of opportunities that lie within it. Our youth must be equipped with the skills and knowledge to harness these opportunities and drive Nigeria’s economic transformation,” Oyetola said.
Similarly, the minister urged the youths to shun vices that could hinder their growth and embrace hard work, discipline, decency, and selflessness that would make them responsible members of society.
Oyetola urged the youths to focus on the untapped potential of Nigeria’s blue economy and the vital role young people can play in its development.
“As you are all aware, the certificates that you would receive from this university at the end of your program are awarded to you based on character and learning,” Oyetola said.
“It is a character that opens the door to knowledge and keeps it open until you are done with your courses and a degree is awarded to you. I, therefore, urge you as youths to shun vices that could hinder your growth,” he added.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, described the event as history-making, designed to hone the career trajectory of the undergraduates.
She thanked the minister for honouring the university’s invitation, saying, “Our doors are wide open to industry partnerships for career development services for our students.”
Ogunshola said the maritime sector was the second largest contributor to the country’s gross domestic product.
“Therefore, as an institution, our goal is to align with the government’s mission of diversifying the economy,” Ogunshola noted.
Earlier, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr Dayo Mobereola, stated that the agency was working at concluding the construction of the Institute of Maritime Studies’ building, which was almost at a 70 per cent completion stage.
“The Institute of Maritime Studies was established by NIMASA in universities across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
“They provide specialised training and research in maritime studies, addressing the needs of the maritime industry in Nigeria and beyond,” Mobereola declared.
https://punchng.com/blue-economy-key-to-youth-empowerment-says-oyetola/
