By Onengiyeofori Princewill
A non-governmental organization, Quest for Growth and Development Foundation, has called on government to establish more vocational schools “to help youths in the country shape their dreams.”
The group made the call during activities marking this year’s International Youth Day, with the theme: ‘Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,’ in Port Harcourt.
The coordinator, Quest for Growth and Development Foundation, Mr Smith Nwokocha, urged governments at all levels to put in proactive measures to build more vocational schools in the country.
“I advise the government to build more skills-set schools tailored to their own area of vision and driven. Some of them want to be doctors, lawyers, footballers and all that. Government should build specific schools, more like vocational schools, to build young people to follow their vision.”
He encouraged youths to make the difference as young people and be relentless in the pursuit of their dreams.
“Nothing is too small to start with, start where you are and start now. As a young person you can make a difference, you don’t need to wait till you’re older.”
Nwokocha encouraged the youths to ensure they keep their environment clean as part of local actions that will stand out globally, adding that through this they may also discover their skills set.
“Just by taking local actions, you’re also tapping into the global actions, and you’re also building yourself. Therefore, knowing the skills set to follow, and probably pick up, will guide you through life’s journey.”
Representing The Global Shapers Community, Mr Wisdom Okubo, urged the youths to be passionate in whatever they aspire to become and to be ambassadors of change in their local communities.
“Young people stay passionate, stay committed, stay resilient, change starts with you. Don’t wait till you have all the resources at your disposal to actually create change in your local communities.
One of the participants, Victory Johnson, expressed gratitude to the facilitators on how the program had impacted her.
“I learnt that whatever you want to do, you must have a mentor, somebody that has gone ahead of you, that will direct you, and I want to thank all the facilitators.”
