Parents urged to engage kids in skill acquisition

Dr. Mathias Byuan, Executive Director of Housing, Finance and Accounts at the Federal Housing Authority in Abuja, has urged parents to get their kids involved in a skill. Byuan spoke on Friday in Abuja at the art exhibition of painting by a young Nigerian, Adegbola Oyeyemi. He said if children were left idle, without engaging […]

Dr. Mathias Byuan, Executive Director of Housing, Finance and Accounts at the Federal Housing Authority in Abuja, has urged parents to get their kids involved in a skill.

Byuan spoke on Friday in Abuja at the art exhibition of painting by a young Nigerian, Adegbola Oyeyemi.

He said if children were left idle, without engaging them with one skill or the other, it could affect their future.

The Executive Director said: “In Nigeria, everyone is talking about white-collar jobs. Not everybody will get a government job. The population of the country is more than the total jobs in the country.

“In Europe, 90% of jobs done are not by the government. It’s done by the private sector. So, I encourage parents to train children to engage in trade. This will help them to make a living for themselves.

“In the country, every year, you see thousands of people graduating from university. Everybody is looking for jobs. But if a child is being trained on how to make a living. By the time the person becomes an adult, there will be no need to wait for government jobs.”

Speaking on Oyeyemi’s feat, he said: “Artwork is a big business because people love seeing artwork. Artwork comes with theories of things that have happened before.

“What the young man has done is commendable. Therefore, as people in government, we must encourage them. I encourage them but not only them but all youth who want to contribute positivity to Nigeria.”