Speakers at Project One Million Jobs have stated that Nigerian maritime industry, if well managed, is capable of providing one million jobs for Nigerian youth.
For the industry to attain this, the speakers noted that the federal government must provide the enabling infrastructure while the youth must have good education, skills and courage to partake in the job opportunities.
Project One Million Jobs was organised by Employment Clinic at Rockview Hotel in Apapa on Tuesday October 4, 2022. Its theme was – From Impact to Legacies; Heading to a New Frontier in Maritime Economy.
Chief Isaac Jolapamo, Chairman, Morlap Group commended the CEO of Employment Clinic, Ms. Ronke Kosoko, for placing maritime industry top among employment generating industries in the country. He maintained that the industry is made up of various chain of values that provide jobs but people do not have knowledge about the opportunity.
Jolapamo who is also the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Nigeria Shipowners Association, implored the youth to show interest and pick up the jobs.
Chief Pius Akinyelure, Board member of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, told the youth at the event that government could not provide employment for them but they should take advantage of opportunities available in shipping and their environment to create jobs.
Represented at the event by Honourable Akinola Awodeyi-Akinsehinwa, Akinyelure noted that the nation’s shipping industry is made of various segments and advised the participating youth to acquire good education and skills for them to take up the technical jobs in the industry.
The Chairman of Apapa Local Government Area, Hon. Idowu Adejumoke Senbanjo, expressed dismay with the level of unemployment among the Apapa youth despite the location of Apapa Port and Tin Can Port and many big companies in the local government.
Sebanjo said that the companies are ready to employ but the youth are not ready to work, charging them to be determined to express their feelings and rights. “Youth must get up to demand for their rights. Nobody will give you.”
Speaking, Mr. Ladi Balogun, Managing Director, Lagos State Ferry Service, said that the state with over 22 million people could not rely on roads alone as its waterways provide a lot of resources and free of traffic. “We want everyone to key into it.”
In her welcome address, Ronke Kosoko said that the event was organised not only to expose Nigerian youth to huge job opportunities in the maritime industry but to enlighten them on how to key in.
Kosoko charged the federal government to provide the needed infrastructure in the maritime industry to create job opportunities.
Participating youth were drawn from all local government areas in Lagos State and other parts of the country.
PortNews for Employment Clinic
