The Zonal Director, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) South-East, Ike Okere, has urged the youth to first acquire a skill or professional competence before going into politics.

Mr. Okere gave the advice in Enugu on Sunday at the Enugu Business and Politics Summit with the theme: “Mainstreaming Young Credible Individuals in Business and Politics as Panacea for Innovation and Progress.” 

The conference was organised for youths in honour of the 37th birthday of the Executive Director of Leadership and Entrepreneurship Advocacy (LEAD) Network, Mr Chukwuma Okenwa.

The FRCN boss said that any youth aspiring for a political post must work very hard and get “economic independence first before setting out.”

According to him, one must get prepared financially and ensure they can feed their family first from their economic independence and when you are done with politics you go back to your previous profession or skill.

“Politics is never a profession; it remains a service that lasts for a set time.

“But the skills or professional competence you acquire through education is meant to last for as much as your life and you continue to feed from it,” he said.

Another speaker, Ekene Uzodimma, a young farmer, urged youths to take advantage of farming and its huge potential.

“Today, agricultural produce sells more and we have better pricing and better knowledge of its preservation.

“So, I do not see what is holding youths back from going into agriculture full time,” Mr. Uzodimma said. 

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Okenwa said that the summit was meant to create that consciousness among young people that they are not too young to take up responsibility and “they should move beyond the music and entertainment space.” 

He said that there was a need for young people to go into business and politics, where young people are largely excluded.

“We want them to know that they too can become successful businessmen or women as well as a successful politician too.

“However, there is a need for them to build credibility and discipline before the public will bank on them to give them sensitive and serious responsibilities such as business and political posts.”

No fewer than 200 youths from all walks of life within and outside Enugu metropolis attended the summit, where other motivational speakers advised youths on the proper use of time and opportunities.