BEVERLY HILLS, April 15, (THEWILL) – A representative of Akwa Ibom in the Federal Character Commission, Obonganwan Dorah Ebong, has advised the youth to diversify their skills in order to add value to their qualifications rather than wait on government jobs.
Speaking in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, on Wednesday during the inauguration of a new Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society christened, “The Hideout,” Ebong said lack of jobs in government establishments should compel young graduates to crave for entrepreneurship where they could become employers of labour instead of job seekers.
She said: “Hideout Cooperative Society would give soft loans to young graduates and other persons who have skills in any field to start small scale businesses instead of hanging around for government employment.
“We are not a contract awarding institution. I sit there in the Federal Character Commission to make sure that Akwa Ibom people are not cheated in federal employment opportunities.
“The law states that each state should have not less than 3 percent in employment from any Federal Government establishment and no state should have less than 2.5 per cent. But in all these, how many Akwa Ibom people are employed in federal establishments?.
“This is the reason why I came out with the idea of skills acquisition because sitting there at the Federal Character Commission, I have seen so many Akwa Ibom youth coming with their Curriculum Vitae and credentials in search for jobs. And I realised that we are depending on government employment which is not forthcoming.”
She listed skills that can engage the youths to include soap making, fashion design, catering and fish smoking for export by those living in riverine communities in Akwa Ibom.
Ebong maintained that the cooperative society would offer single digit loans to members to pursue small businesses and encouraged Akwa youths to enrol in their own interest.
The Commissioner for Rural Development and Cooperatives, Mrs. Enobong Mbobo, said cooperatives were both business ventures and a protection for the interest of members.
Mbobo, who was represented by the Director of Programmes in the ministry, Pastor Udeme Ekpe, encouraged members of the cooperative to show diligence in their business in order to ensure continuity.
