Nigerian youths have been urged to invest in self-development to prepare for work and career growth in the future. This was the submission of speakers during the Rose of Sharon Foundation’s (ROSF) bi-annual Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) convened recently by Apostle Folorunso Alakija in Lagos.

Speaking on the theme “Career Progression and Transition; Mega Trends for Viable Employment”, the Foundation’s Country Manager, Dr Ndudi Bowei, said: “The youth empowerment programme is geared towards building the capacity of young people and provide them leverage, as they seek opportunities to become entrepreneurs or employees.”

Bowei said this edition was targeted at offering pathways for career progression and transition for the youths.

Also speaking on “Thriving as an Entrepreneur in Uncertain Times”, Chief Vision Officer, Bosworth Marketing Consulting, Mrs. Bukola Majekodunmi, urged aspiring entrepreneurs to always create room for contingency plans regardless of how their businesses might turn out. Majekodunmi charged the youths to be open to mentorship and build quality relationships and networks.

The Chief Executive Officer, Lifecrest Medical Services Limited, Dr Ogonnaya Ndupu, advised young persons to be highly productive in the workplace. Ndupu, a behavioural professional and consultant psychiatrist, said it is the responsibility of every youth to take care of their mental health, noting that “mental health is not a mental illness.”

She further noted that maintaining good mental health was fundamental to career development and vice versa.

Head, Business Development, Phillips Outsourcing Limited, Adeleke Adeoti, mentioned digital transformation, remote work, upskilling and reskilling, diversity, and inclusion as some megatrends in the employment market.

He urged the youths to make a good impression of competence in these trends through their curriculum vitae as this reflects their personality in the workplace. According to Adeleke, every aspiring employee must be ready to defend their resume whenever the need arises. He added that self-assessment, research, and skills development are good starting points for effective career progression.

A major highlight of the event featured thee mergence of Mrs. Mary Otukpe as the winner of the six-week tech-based course.

The Rose of Sharon Foundation equally hosted its first-ever Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) LinkedIn Live, featuring top career development and progression experts Dr Enoch Adewumi Oyeduntan and Ginika Obinna-Okorie.

The live event was aimed at enlightening attendees on global trends and developments shaping the employment market and how young people can prepare to take advantage of local and international career opportunities.