Calls have gone to the federal government to provide the enabling infrastructure so as to create jobs for the teeming Nigerian youths.
The call was made by maritime stakeholders at the Project One Million Jobs organised by Employment Clinic at Rockview Hotel in Apapa.
Tagged, ‘From Impact to Legacies: Heading to a New Frontier in Maritime Economy,’ it drew participants from all local government areas in Lagos State and other parts of the country.
Speaking, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Nigerian Ship Owners Association and Chairman, Morlap Group, Chief Isaac Jolapamo, said that the industry is a value chain that provides jobs but the youths do not have knowledge about the opportunities and implored them to show interest and pick up the jobs.
Jolapamo commended the Convener, Ms Ronke Kosoko for placing maritime industry top among employment generating industries in the country.
Chief Pius Akinyelure, Board member of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), 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 Hon. Akinola Awodeyi-Akinsehinwa, Akinyelure noted that the nation’s shipping industry is made of various segments and advised the participating youths to acquire good education and skills for them to take up the technical jobs in the industry.
Chairman of Apapa Local Government Area, Hon. Idowu Adejumoke Senbanjo, lamented the level of unemployment among the Apapa youths despite the location of Apapa Port and Tin Can Port and many big companies in the area.
She however, dismayed that the companies are ready to employ but the youths are not ready to work, charging them to be determined to express their feelings.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Ladi Balogun, Managing Director, Lagos State Ferry Services Corporation, 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.
Earlier in her welcome address, the convener, Ms Ronke Kosoko, said that the event was organised not only to expose Nigerian youths 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.