By Joshua Olomu

Former First Lady Maryam Abacha has urged Nigerian youths to embrace vocational training and skills to equip themselves against the rising unemployment challenge and become self-reliant.

The wife of the late Head of State made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of her investiture as the Grand Matron of MOP Stars FC Academy at her residence in Abuja.

The former first lady hosted the management and players of MOP Stars FC, the team representing Nigeria at the 2025 Dana World Youth Tournament in Denmark.

According to her, as Nigeria grapples with a high unemployment rate, there is a need for young people to equip themselves with practical skills to become self-employed and as well contribute to national economic growth.

She noted that the growing economic challenges of modern times, occasioned by population growth, required that the youth embrace hands-on training in various trades for improved financial security for themselves and their families

She, therefore, urged leaders at all levels, policymakers and privileged Nigerians to provide vocational education and training (VET), focusing on developing practical skills and knowledge relevant to specific trade, occupation and vocation.

“We need more vocational schools now to train young people because the degree is no longer enough for our children.

“I initiated a lot of such programmes during my days at the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA).

“The government should segment the society by putting up vocational schools, so that people can be empowered, even from the streets and take care of themselves.

“It’s obvious now that formal education alone is not giving our youths enough jobs. So, we need more practical skills, our youths should be able to do certain things.

“It can be cooking, even sewing, hairdressing; there are a lot of things they can do to complement their formal education.

“Our governments should also do more to support families, that is why we have the Family Economic Advancement Programme, give people money to start something, teach them how to produce and how to sell what they produce,” she said.

The former first lady expressed appreciation to the leadership of MOP Stars FC Academy for choosing her as the grand matron of the youngsters football club.

She urged leaders, as well as Nigerians of goodwill, to invest in ventures that seek to discover, develop and showcase budding talents.

She lauded the leadership of MOP Stars FC Academy for enlisting the lads and for securing their participation in the Dana tournament, adding that the feat would launch them into professional football careers.

She, therefore, pledged her support and prayers for the youngsters as they go represent Nigeria at the tournament scheduled to hold from July 21 to 26.

“Nigeria needs young people like you, and I am very glad you are dedicated; you are doing something with your lives.

“You are not snatching phones, you are not killing people, you are not touting, you are not involved in any vices.

“So, continue to be good, continue to preach peace, unity, continue to be people that can initiate good things in your lives and to other people in our country.

“I wish you all the best of luck and a safe journey to Denmark, and I pray that God blesses everything that brings peace and unity to our country,” she said.

Earlier in his remarks, Dr Suleiman Adejoh, President of MOP Stars FC Academy, extolled the former first lady’s commitment to fostering peace and unity.

According to him, the choice of the former first lady as grand matron of the teenage club is because of her passion for young people and selfless leadership style.

Adejoh commended her for inspiring laudable programmes such as the African First Ladies Peace Mission, National Programme on Immunisation and Family Support Programme (FSP), among others.

He noted that the former first lady impacted many lives across the country, especially wives of military officers, girl-child, rural women and children in her time as the NAOWA President.

“Her Excellency is such a motivation, as I have not seen any first lady in this country that has planted something in the past few decades that Nigerians are benefiting from as she did.

“That is why we felt that it is important we come today to recognise her as the grand matron of MOP Stars FC Academy.

“These boys have been energised, they have been stimulated by her words, they have been encouraged and they are ready to go and conquer the world in the game of soccer,” he said.

According to Adejoh, both the under 16 and the under 19 teams of the club have been invited to participate at the Dana event.

He expressed delight that the tournament was an opportunity for talented young Nigerians to showcase their talents on the global stage and get opportunities.

He said the club was working towards discovery, development and empowerment of Nigeria’s budding talents in football. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola