BY DAYO ADESULU

Bothered by inadequate skills to drive the various sectors of the Nigeria’s economy, Comrade Peter Esele, President of Trade Union Congress TUC has urged Nigerian best brains in the diaspora to come back home after their studies and contribute  to the develop the nation’s dwindling economy, stressing that their services are more needed in Nigeria than overseas.

Speaking at a graduating ceremony in Lagos, Esele told graduands who have successfully completed their A Level exams at  Westerfield College: “This country needs you. It needs the skills which you are going to acquire, adding, You must therefore come back home after your studies as this is where you will be needed most.”

He noted that the  Power sector which is one of the key areas where we are confronted with major challenge is waiting for trail blazing engineers who will transform it. Moreover, on the need for the country to engage in massive food production, Esele reiterated that the agricultural sector is waiting for men and women who will revolutionise the industry and provide food for the teeming and hungry Nigerians.

Esele who also lamented the current state of the oil and gas sector said, there is need for Nigerians to fully take over the oil and gas sector, stressing that the oil and gas sector needs the best brains of Nigerians to domesticate the major technological processes within the sector and transform it into a truly great catalyst for national development.

“The best of ICT professionals are needed to build an ICT compliant processes and backbones that will enable and activate creative governance in all segments of the Nigerian society,” he said.

Esele who urged students to be driven by the fore-mentioned national needs, argued that students are capable of setting them up for life and leading them on the best path to greatness.  He, however told the youths, “You must refuse to allow the pursuit of money to be the driving force behind your efforts.”

Stressing the need for Nigerians abroad to be proud of their country, he said: “You are first of all Nigerians and not Americans or Europeans, adding, those societies were built by their brightest, youngest and strongest like you.”

He therefore charged them to acquit themselves in every way and seek avenues to project in a positive way the image of our father land. “Acquire newer skills and build capacities that would enable you create value for the greater good of the Nigerian State and her people,” he added.

Speaking in the same vein, first lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola stated that any institution or nation which fails to recognise and celebrate the potentials and ideals of her subjects that have brought honours to her is akin to a mother who fails to celebrate the achievements of her brilliant child thereby denying her of being appreciated by her immediate environment.