Foundation Task Youths on Self-devt for Career Growth 

Gilbert Ekugbe

Rose of Sharon Foundation (ROSF) has charged youths in the country to invest in self development programmes to prepare for the future of work and career growth.

Besides, youth unemployment has hit a staggering high rate of over 33 per cent in the country hence, the need for the teeming unemployed youths to engage in self-development initiatives to be self-reliant.

This was the submission of speakers during the  ROSF’s bi-annual Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) convened by Apostle Folorunso Alakija on Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Lagos.

Speaking on the theme “Career Progression and Transition; Mega Trends for Viable Employment”, the Country Manager of the Foundation, Dr Ndudi Bowei, while delivering her opening remarks stated that “The Youth Empowerment Programme is geared towards building the capacity of young people and provide them leverage as they seek opportunities to become entrepreneurs or employees.”

Also speaking on the topic titled “Thriving as an Entrepreneur in Uncertain Times”, Chief Vision Officer, Bosworth Marketing Consulting, Mrs. Bukola Majekodunmi, urged aspiring entrepreneurs to always create room for contingency plans regardless of how their businesses might turn out. 

Majekodunmi, who gave tips on what must be done to succeed in business, charged the youths to be open to mentorship and build quality relationships and networks.

“When you are facing a complex situation, you must respond with clarity. In a crisis situation, it is better to keep building. Uncertainty is not necessarily bad news. You must embrace uncertainty, and create room for it in order to insulate your business against shock. Identify new ways of thinking and doing things differently”, she said.

In her remarks, Chief Executive Officer, Lifecrest Medical Services Limited, Dr Ogonnaya Ndupu, stated that for young people to be highly productive in the workplace, there is a need to ensure mental health balance. 

Dr. Ndupu, who is a behavioural professional and consultant psychiatrist, said it is the responsibility of every youth to take care of their mental health, noting that mental health is not a mental illness. She further noted that maintaining good mental health was fundamental to career development and vice versa.

On his part, Head, Business Development, Phillips Outsourcing Limited, Adeleke Adeoti, mentioned digital transformation, remote work, upskilling and reskilling, diversity, and inclusion as some megatrends in the employment market.