Nigerian Youth have been called upon to take advantage of technological advancement and innovations, as well as Artificial Intelligence to tackle unemployment rate and creat wealth for themselves.
The annual event, which targeted university students and graduates as well, has as its, ‘Theme:”The Future Is Being Built Now.”
Miss Itunuoluwa Akande, the Founder of Future Tech Circle, FTC and the Convener of the conference in her welcome address told the participants to tap into innovations being offered by the development of technology and artificial intelligence to uplift their socio-economic wellbeing.
“I want Nigerian Youth to take to technology, innovation, ideas and artificial intelligence to strengthen themselves economically, socially and academically.
“Things shouldn’t be done traditionally.There must be a departure from the old ways of doing things, that is the way we learn, work, study and do business on day -to- day basis.'”
The 400level Law Student of Deeper Life University, Ayobo told them move fast in embracing these novel ideas capable of not only to change their situations, but also essential in impacting on others and the society at large.
Mrs Oluwatobiloba Badmus, from Universal School, implored the participants to imbibe the spirit of change, reiterating that the skills they have today may not keep them for the future.
“Life is about dynamism, Change and flexibility. Change is a catalyst to what you want to become.You should ask yourself, ” what do I want become.?”
There must be self awareness concerning where are you and where are you heading to.
“The begining of change is you.Change is a movement. Change could come through personal development.
Learning new skills should be your watch word. What is that capacity you need to have to make you what you want to be,” she said.
The speaker who said she was a trained Nurse, recalled how she made a change in her calling ; veering into Non- Governmental Organization (NGO) business, giving talks and doing real estate business due to lack of fulfilment in her original calling which she considers as a routine job.
She concluded that in all these, the youth must embrace technology to be able to adapt to new realities, while also citing an example of how a Nigerian doctor recently made a break through by performing a successful day robotic operation.
Badmus said that with technology, a Nigerian youth can become an administrator, content maker and a marketing expert.
Michael Lanre, a Marketing Consultant also lectured the participants on the whole gamut of opportunities available to the youth using technology, innovation and artificial intelligence.
He cited an example of how stock exchange operation is being carried out digitally.
Kenishia Nzenwa, Deputy Director , WALSA Nigeria called on the youth to imbibe technology and artificial intelligence which is capable of unifying ideas, business realities and innovative knowledge to their advantage.
Having advised them to take advantage of free AI training being made available to them by FTC, he recalled how she transformed from being a Lawyer to doing other things.
“When I realised that my earnings as a lawyer could only sustain me, but would not enable me to support others and the community I belong to, then I have to take other ventures; using technology to become a millionaire.
She said she had been able to diversify her business through technology and artificial intelligence.
Mr Tolulope Ahmed, Dr.Tee, CEO of MyFund, implored the youth to wake up inorder not to wait for when they finished their education before venturing into profitable ventures.
He recalled how he bought his first property as a student, while citing example of how he started the idea of building school hostels in states like Oyo, Osun, Ondo and others , calling on members of the public to come and invest in it and at thesame time, also partake in the proceeds like the stalk exchange business.
“So, you don’t have to choose between academics and business. You can have it all. All you need to do is to plan your day.
“What you have control over is tomorrow, today is gone.Alot of people don’t know what they want to do with their lives,” he said.
He, however, asked the youth to do personality test to know what they are cut out for, while recommending his book, “Sixteen Personality.com for them to read.
He cautioned them not to waist their time doing what they are not cut out for.
“For example, I have a lot of friends in the television house who are good engineers, but not good broadcasters, yet they are the moving spirit behind transmission in the station, ‘ he said.
He equally warned the youth to be prudent while venturing into business, saying “you should not squander your money when it comes. If you come to my house, you will know the kind of person I am. It does not mean I don’t help people, but once my budget for that is exhausted, that is the end of charity.”
He said a man’s life is shapened by three things, namely : the mind, the environment and change, he therefore warned the participants not to allow their environment to affect their financial capability badly.
He recalled, how as an investor, the way he used his French Language proficiency to start doing applications for grants for Francophone African countries.
He urged them to change their environment, so that their lives could also be changed.
The conference later devolved into a panelist session, where questions and answers were asked and answered by both presenter and participants respectfully.
During this session, a student of Vetland Secondary School , Agege, Lagos, Miss Grace Shobowale stunned the hall, when she stood up and acknowledged the fact that even though she was not qualified to attend the program, but complained of not having resources to purchase a phone and laptop; talkless of taking to technology and artificial intelligence.
Her concerns were , however, addressed summarily when the resource persons decided to admit her into the FTC Hall of Fame as a member.
The Tech conference is an annual event which helps the youth to receive motivational talks cum ideas; and this year’s edition which was attended by many of them was not different.
