The National Institute for Labour Studies, known as MINILS and located in Ilorin, North Central Nigeria, has made public its partnership with Mallam Saliu Mustapha, the Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly in Abuja. This joint effort aims to boost job creation and nurture youth development in the region.
The collaboration seeks to empower emerging leaders in entrepreneurship and provide them with avenues for advancement and prosperity. The Director General of the Institute, Comrade Issa Aremu, unveiled this partnership during a two-day capacity-building retreat organized by Mallam Saliu Mustapha.
Comrade Aremu commended Senator Mustapha, hailing him as approachable, accessible, and receptive to fresh ideas. He underscored the significance of the institute’s collaboration with the senator’s office, emphasizing its focus on fostering the entrepreneurial skills of young leaders.
Additionally, Comrade Aremu lauded the State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for the establishment of a textile factory in Ilorin. He stressed that this initiative would play a pivotal role in creating job opportunities for a substantial number of unemployed youths in Kwara State.
“I appreciate Senator Saliu Mustapha for his accessibility, approachability, and willingness to listen. Whenever there is any matter concerning him, I am always eager to address it. The senator understands the importance of engaging with youth leaders, just as they rely on him for support and guidance,” he expressed.
The partnership between the Labour Institute and Senator Saliu Mustapha’s office holds great promise for the future of job creation and youth development in the state. By equipping young leaders with essential skills and resources, this collaboration will empower them to drive economic growth and contribute to the overall development of the state.
“As the initiative takes shape, it is expected to provide a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to learn from experienced professionals, exchange ideas, and access funding opportunities. Through workshops, training programs, and mentorship initiatives, the institute and Senator Mustapha’s office will work hand in hand to create an enabling environment for the youth to thrive,” Comrade Aremu further disclosed.
“With youth unemployment being a significant challenge in Nigeria, partnerships like this are crucial in addressing the issue and fostering a more prosperous future. The Labour Institute’s collaboration with Senator Saliu Mustapha demonstrates a commitment to harnessing the potential of young leaders and providing them with the tools they need to succeed in the ever-evolving job market,” he added.
During the retreat, Saudat Abdulbaki from the University of Ilorin discussed the art of communication in Ilorin Emirate, emphasizing the leaders’ need to understand the language the youth use to communicate, enabling better comprehension. She highlighted the necessity for community leaders to have good listening skills, effective communication abilities, and to always welcome feedback.
Another facilitator at the retreat, Yusuf Lawal from the University of Abuja, stressed the importance of supporting elected or appointed leaders in carrying out their responsibilities and achieving creative and innovative economic comparative advantages at the community level.
Contributing to the program, the Kwara State Commandant of NDLEA, Muhammed Bashir Ibrahim, emphasized the need for robust grassroots campaigns against drug abuse and assured the agency’s readiness to protect whistleblowers at all times.
Mallam Nasir Abdulqadir, the Special Technical Adviser on Job Creation, Entrepreneurship, and Skills Development to Senator Saliu Mustapha, reiterated the lawmaker’s commitment to human capacity development as the best pathway to substantial socioeconomic growth and development.
Various other facilitators at the retreat urged development associations to be vigilant, furnish adequate information against crimes in their areas, and diligently oversee projects to fruition.
By
