National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Deborah Odekola
A member of the House of Representatives representing the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Kalejaiye Paul, has called on Nigerian youths to learn relevant skills and contribute to the development of the country.
He raised concern over the rate at which foreigners take over skilled labour in the country, urging youths not to neglect jobs in their country for menial jobs abroad.
The lawmaker stated this during an interview with Journalists at the 2023 Merciful God Concert/Talent Hunt held at Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Secretariat, Ajegunle, Lagos State recently.
He said, “Unfortunately, the ‘Japa’ syndrome which has become phenomenal in recent times. People ‘Japa’ because they believe there are greener pastures and that Nigeria offers nothing. But I want to encourage them to say that Nigeria offers the best. Even the ‘Japa’ we are talking about, you see graduates go there to wash coffins, do security jobs, and others. These are menial jobs they don’t want to do here but when they get abroad they do just any job to make money. While I want to discourage the ‘Japa’ syndrome, my appeal is for us to engage in programmes like this where talented people can be spotted and encouraged. I also intend to pursue the skill accusation.
“We hear that some of the Nigerian graduates are unemployable, they are unemployable because they do not have the required entrepreneurial skills to make them survive in a competitive society.
“Now our skilled labours have been taken away by Togolese, Benin, and people from another country. Skills acquisition is an area we need to encourage our youths to diversify into where they will be employers of labour.”
The event which was organised by the lawmaker featured competitions from Choirs from 200 churches in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Constituency with six churches in the final stage. They include; Holy Mount of Delight and Fulfilment Church; CCC Alfa and Omega; CAC MBA Coke Ayo; Christ the king Catholic Church, Alaba Oro; First Baptist Church, Amukoko; and RCCG, Habitation Refuge.
In his address, the Chairman of the Talent Hunt and Judges Committee, Olusegun Osinaike stated that N3 million has been set aside to be won by the finalists.
According to him, the first position will get the sum of N1 million; second, N750,000; third, N500,000 while the others will get consolation cash prices.
The Olu of Iwa & Apapa Kingdom, Oba Moroof Oyekunle Atanda Oluwa in an interview commended the initiative, saying such will discourage youths from roaming about.
He said, “I want to thank our good representative, Hon. Kalejaiye Paul. He is representing us well. He has been contributing a lot to the development of this area and he is one of our best because he has been presenting things that will enhance this area.”
