Abiodun Charges Youths to Leverage on Creative, Technology Sectors

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has called on Nigerian youths to harness the opportunities provided by creative industry and technology to excel in their chosen career.

Abiodun made the call at during the Ogun Creative Industry & Technology Conference, held at Abeokuta.

The conference had in attendance, a foremost film makerTunde Kelani, stand-up comedian, Ali Baba, Showbiz personality, Denrele Edun among others, and who pledged to change the narrative about youths in the state from negative to positive ones.

Abiodun, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Youth Development and Technology Innovation, Mr. Dennis Ogunnaike, expressed the confidence that the youths would leverage on technology, to harness creative potential for maximum economic growth and development.

The governor who identified crimes and criminalities among youths as a “a major crisis and ticking time bomb” said his administration, was particularly committed to youth development and empowerment through information technology.

He said, “If you look at the creative industry in Ogun State, this is the bedrock of creativity and innovation in Nigeria. We can see where it all started and how we can take it to the future we want. 

“The World Bank says the creative industry in Nigeria can generate over four million jobs annually if properly harnessed. But how much of that harnessing are we doing?

“If you watch African Magic Yoruba, you’ll realize that over 85% of the movies shown on Africa Magic Yoruba are shot here in Ogun State. But how much investment do we have to keep that as an economic multiplier here in Ogun State?

“We’re always in the news for the wrong reasons. Either it’s the EFCC arresting 75 Yahoo boys in Sagamu or seven boys with human heads, and when you look at their ages, it’s usually between 17 and 22. I feel like we have a major crisis on our land. If we don’t address this situation on time, we’ll be nurturing a bomb under our noses without even knowing”.

He added, “in Ogun State, we have a large number of youths, we have a large number of industries, and we need to develop our human capacity that can really support the growth of industries in the state.

“If you don’t try early enough to illuminate the minds of these youths and refocus them to profitable ventures,  they may divert those energies and misapply them.

“We don’t want the youths to be using their energy for cyber crimes or other criminal acts, but we want them to divert the energy in a creative way. Most of the icons that have been brought today, have excelled in different areas of entertainment and creative industry, politics, among others.

They are to encourage and motivate the youths on how to discover and apply their talents to their own advantage and contribute meaningfully to the state economy.

Speaking on the theme of the event, Creative Economy: Positioning Ogun as Nigeria’s Premier Hub for Young Creative Entrepreneurs through Innovation, Skill Enhancement and Collaborative Efforts, the keynote speaker, Tunde Kelani posited that with the advent of technology, their ideas could reach a global audience, urging them to take advantage. 

He noted that they are the architect of future-driven imagination and harness the advantage of technology.

He concluded that the creative industry is no longer limited to traditional, but must have skills and things with passion. 

Speaking on the sideline of the conference, the State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya described the conference as a motivational programme aimed to encourage the youth to channel their energy in a right and profitable venture.

He said, “in Ogun State, we have a large number of youths, we have a large number of industries, and we need to develop our human capacity that can really support the growth of industries in the state.

We don’t want the youths to be using their energy for cyber crimes or other criminal acts, but we want them to divert the energy in a creative way. Most of the icons that have been brought today, have excelled in different areas of entertainment and creative industry, politics, among others.

They are to encourage and motivate the youths on how to discover and apply their talents to their own advantage and contribute meaningfully to the state economy