RMD, Sheri Riley, Ubong king, others inspire youths at Thinkation 2019
It was a convergence of entertainment, information and education at Thinkation 2019 as Nigerians and foreigners who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour converged on the Harbour Point event centre, Victoria Island,
Lagos at the weekend to provide the compass to navigate Nigeria’s harsh economic terrain to a fruitful life style. The convener, Ubong King, said that the event aimed at helping youths think outside the box in an economy where opportunities to get employed after school continue to shrink as economic indicators point south.
Addressing the youths, King said that he had put the programme together to help to discover the talents Nigeria has and how to monetize them.
Speaking on the frightening unemployment statistics, King said, “If you have noticed, there are hardly any jobs available and because there are no jobs, the unemployment indices has gone up.
Statistics has shown that 75 percent of Nigeria’s population is made up of young people under the age of 45 and if the estimate population of Nigeria is put at 180 million, it means that the youthful population will be about 935 million.
That same report has it that 40 percent of that number cannot be employed,which translates to 625 million if you have that number of the unemployable, and in ingress of 17 million children born into the society,then we should know that there is a lot coming for us.’’
On why Nigerians must begin to think out of the box, he buttressed that “It is common knowledge that Lake Chad, in the North East of the country has receded by 90 percent and this has affected five countries in the process. That explains why migration has increased towards the Southern part of Nigeria. How are we ready to deal with this?
We are not the first to have this kind of situation.There are many countries that have had food scarcity issues,issues with population explosion and have dealt with it. How do we deal with ours? We need to start thinking out of the box.Gone are the days when the standard was:go to school,graduate and get a job.’’
In her keynote address , American life strategist,entrepreneur and author,Sheri Riley,urged youths to be committed to personal development and professional growth, noting that they must be committed to what is inside of them to cultivate them to achieve the excellence that has been ordained outside of them. The author,who has assisted a number of American singers soar in the entertainment industry,including Rhythm and Blues singer,Usher Raymond, opined that youths must change their mindset,shift their paradigm and be a major disruptor in their own lives.
However, the the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, Mrs Yemisi Busari, expressed delight that Thinkation provided an opportunity to go beyond formal education and learn how youths can think for themselves and achieve their dreams,commending the convener for his vision for creating the event. She, however,urged youths to always challenge status quo,noting that God gave everyone the innate ability to reason.
The English and Law graduate urged Lagosians and Nigerians to commit themselves to the ideals of excellence ,diligence and service to humanity.
Other speakers and panelists at the event included: Richard Mofe-Damijo, Amb. Wendell De Landro,Hibaq Ali-Abyan, Olawale Ayilara,Steve Babaeko, Lilian Oparaji,Timi Dakolo and Wale Jana. Ladesope Ladelokun
Addressing the youths, King said that he had put the programme together to help to discover the talents Nigeria has and how to monetize them.
Speaking on the frightening unemployment statistics, King said, “If you have noticed, there are hardly any jobs available and because there are no jobs, the unemployment indices has gone up.
Statistics has shown that 75 percent of Nigeria’s population is made up of young people under the age of 45 and if the estimate population of Nigeria is put at 180 million, it means that the youthful population will be about 935 million.
That same report has it that 40 percent of that number cannot be employed,which translates to 625 million if you have that number of the unemployable, and in ingress of 17 million children born into the society,then we should know that there is a lot coming for us.’’
On why Nigerians must begin to think out of the box, he buttressed that “It is common knowledge that Lake Chad, in the North East of the country has receded by 90 percent and this has affected five countries in the process. That explains why migration has increased towards the Southern part of Nigeria. How are we ready to deal with this?
We are not the first to have this kind of situation.There are many countries that have had food scarcity issues,issues with population explosion and have dealt with it. How do we deal with ours? We need to start thinking out of the box.Gone are the days when the standard was:go to school,graduate and get a job.’’
In her keynote address , American life strategist,entrepreneur and author,Sheri Riley,urged youths to be committed to personal development and professional growth, noting that they must be committed to what is inside of them to cultivate them to achieve the excellence that has been ordained outside of them. The author,who has assisted a number of American singers soar in the entertainment industry,including Rhythm and Blues singer,Usher Raymond, opined that youths must change their mindset,shift their paradigm and be a major disruptor in their own lives.
However, the the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, Mrs Yemisi Busari, expressed delight that Thinkation provided an opportunity to go beyond formal education and learn how youths can think for themselves and achieve their dreams,commending the convener for his vision for creating the event. She, however,urged youths to always challenge status quo,noting that God gave everyone the innate ability to reason.
The English and Law graduate urged Lagosians and Nigerians to commit themselves to the ideals of excellence ,diligence and service to humanity.
Other speakers and panelists at the event included: Richard Mofe-Damijo, Amb. Wendell De Landro,Hibaq Ali-Abyan, Olawale Ayilara,Steve Babaeko, Lilian Oparaji,Timi Dakolo and Wale Jana. Ladesope Ladelokun
