Former First Lady, Maryam Abacha, has called on Nigerian youths to embrace vocational training as a means of addressing the growing unemployment crisis and achieving self-reliance.
She made the appeal during an interview following her investiture as Grand Matron of MOP Stars FC Academy at her residence in Abuja on Friday. The academy’s team is set to represent Nigeria at the 2025 Dana World Youth Tournament in Denmark.
Mrs Abacha stressed that, given Nigeria’s rising unemployment rate, young people must acquire practical skills to become self-employed and contribute to the country’s economic growth. She noted that today’s economic realities, driven by rapid population growth, necessitate the acquisition of hands-on skills to ensure financial stability for individuals and their families.
She urged government officials, policymakers, and privileged individuals to invest in vocational education and training (VET), which focuses on equipping learners with relevant trade and occupational skills.
“We need more vocational schools to train our youths. Academic degrees alone are no longer sufficient. I initiated several such programmes during my time with the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA),” she said.
She added that the government should establish more vocational institutions to empower people, even those living on the margins, to become self-sufficient. “Skills such as cooking, sewing, and hairdressing can complement formal education and open opportunities,” she added.
Mrs Abacha also called for stronger support for families, referencing the Family Economic Advancement Programme, which offers funding and training for small-scale enterprise development.
Expressing her appreciation for being named Grand Matron of MOP Stars FC Academy, she commended the academy’s efforts in nurturing young football talent and securing their participation in the forthcoming Danish tournament.
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She encouraged the boys to remain dedicated and law-abiding, highlighting their role as future ambassadors of peace and unity. “I’m proud of you for staying focused. You’re not engaging in crime or vices. Keep promoting peace and positive change,” she said.
Earlier, Dr Suleiman Adejoh, President of MOP Stars FC Academy, praised Mrs Abacha’s enduring legacy of service, particularly her support for peace initiatives and youth-focused programmes such as the African First Ladies Peace Mission and the Family Support Programme.
He said her leadership had positively impacted military families, rural women, and the girl-child during her tenure as NAOWA President. He explained that her commitment to nation-building inspired the academy to appoint her as Grand Matron.
Adejoh confirmed that both the U-16 and U-19 teams of MOP Stars FC Academy would participate in the Dana tournament and expressed optimism that the event would offer Nigerian youths a platform to showcase their talents globally.
