Russell Brooks, United States Consulate public affairs officer, has said that the Young African Leaders Initiative YALI Network in Nigeria currently has more than 160,000 registered members who have free access to online courses and information on events and workshops to develop their leadership skills and advance their career goals.
Brooks disclosed this while addressing 105 young, talented, ambitious entrepreneurs participants at the 2019 YALI conference for emerging entrepreneurs held at the Ibadan Business School, Bodija, Ibadan,the Oyo state capital
The vocational, technical and entrepreneurship training was organised by the Field of Skills and Dreams Academy and supported by the United States Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria.
He urged the budding young entrepreneurs to see themselves as risk takers, who should be ready to face all odds without looking at the negative consequences in their quest to reach for the stars.
He told the gathering that the US was interested in the Nigerian youth entrepreneurship because of its belief that the body of youths represented solution to the nation’s economic dilemma.
“Our (America’s) interest is in our belief that you, the youths, represent the future of the African continent. You represent the future of Nigeria,” he said.
While saying that the youths represented the greatest resource for a prosperous Nigeria’s future, he noted, “Only you can provide a good future for the country so that Nigeria can take its rightful place in the comity of nations.”
He, however, said that resource persons for the conference were drawn from digital entrepreneurship, blogging, agriculture, hotel and catering management, among others.
In his address, Omowale Ogunrinade, chief executive officer of Field of Skills and Dreams, advised Nigerian youths to nurture their brilliant ideas to have recordable and amazing success stories.
While declaring the conference open, Abiola Ajimobi, Oyo State governor, advised youths and budding entrepreneurs to develop positive mental attitude and be prepared to take risks in order to succeed.
Ajimobi said that any of the youths with humble background should not consider such as a stumbling block towards succeeding in life, stressing that he also came from similar parentage.
“I am a Nigerian with a humble beginning. I came from a humble background like some of you. My father was a tailor, while my mother was a trader. So, your background should not be a hindrance to your success.
“To succeed in life, you must possess some qualifications like positive mental attitude. You must first develop that attitude and then you act it. Visualise what you want to be, act and work hard towards achieving it.
“Even when you are in your bathroom, talk to yourself. My God, I want to be this or that. It is not only about just wishing to be, but also about working towards achieving it.
“In the words of Walt Disney, ‘all our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.’ In the process of pursuing your dreams, people will mount obstacles in your way; some will discourage you, but don’t give up.”
Akinremi Feyisipo,Ibadan
