BY NDIDI UCHE

Entrepreneurship expert, Professor Pat Utomi has  called on the Federal Government to work on the policies  that will enable unemployed graduates develop entrepreneurial skills in order to develop  the society.

The former presidential aspirant made this call during the 4th convocation lecture of the Redeemer’s University entitled; Entrepreneurship as Panacea for Unemployment in the 21st Century- The Role of the University. According to him, “Entrepreneurship is a fundamental part of our human dignity.”

He emphasized that entrepreneurship is not about passing a course but using what one has learnt and apply the knowledge in what one is primarily engaged in to create value and wealth.

Utomi said; “Entrepreneurship can raise the capacity of society to make that great leap in value creation. But this is not likely to happen if we fail to invest in raising human capital, creating an enabling environment and building strong institutions. If we can do so, then we can truly reap demographic dividends.”

He also stated that among the six interdependent variables that add to progress in the growth drivers framework, entrepreneurship is indispensable.

Speaking on what he referred to as the Nehemiah complex, Utomi said that it is necessary to re-examine the idea of a university in the light of the need to rebuild the cracking walls of the Nigerian national edifice.

On his part, the Osun State Governor represented by the Commissioner for Land, Fiscal Policy and Urban Development, Architect Muyiwa Ibe said that during the celebration of the Governor’s first 100 days in office, Governor Rauf Aregbesola encouraged the youths to look for opportunities to add value and create wealth not just for themselves but for others.

Ibe added that with the unemployed graduates embracing the spirit of entrepreneurship, unemployment will become a thing of the past.