An economic expert and branch Pastor of Rhema Chapel, Ketu, Olushola Obikanye has called on the federal government to place more priority on human capital development in the 2018 budget.
Banjo said this at forth edition of The Industralist Seminars: New Age Business organsed recently by Rhema Chapel, Ketu, Lagos.
The programme tagged The ABC of Produce Export, Prioritizng Bookkeeping, relevant information for fresh starters, the impact of team building brought together over 70 young entrepreneurs, financial experts, development experts, exporters and social media influential.
He said investment in human capital in any society is investing in the engine room of development of the country.
According to him, the failure of the government to invest appropriately in human capital over the years has led to increase in all forms of criminality among the youths.
“budget on arms and defense in most developing countries has gone up because governments fails to place more premium on developing the human mind, brain and hand to work through workable peopled centred programmes. The amount of money budgeted for human capital development in the 2018 budget is abysmally low and could hinder the much anticipated growth and development in the country” he said.
“Nigeria has over 60% of its population as youths, thus the challenges currently facing young entrepreneurs in Nigeria need to be addressed for the youth bulge to yield economic dividends. We have tons of Nigeria youths, who are not lazy, nor are they indolent or idle but are hardworking, honest, togged, courageous and are ready to draw water out of the rock through every legal means”.
“The economic indicators are not favourable to young people especially Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (SMSs) holders who have to grappled with erratic power supply, multiple taxation, high interest rate, and inadequate support system for them to thrive. The federal government Ease of doing business policy aimed at attracting investors and facilitate growth for local investors, said that periodic review of the policy should be put in place to ensure that small and medium scale enterprises benefits from the scheme”.
He also said China’s investment in its youth population has taken the country from the third world to the second largest economic in the world.
The cleric further challenged churches to provide more platforms for entrepreneurship training for young entrepreneurs youths within their community while preparing them for heaven.
“the church has been a springboard for social services such as schooling, health care service, community mobilisation, agriculture and across all sector. The church remains the light of the world; we must not remain indifference to the plight of thousands of young entrepreneurs who need proper training, networking and support system to drive their ideas” he said.
“The church should continue to provide platforms where individuals can access relevant information and support for wealth creation, financial growth, stability and self sufficiency”.
“We have a mission to build entrepreneurs who are ready to disrupt the business space and shake up their fields most dramatically”.