Vice President of Clapton Football Club, and chairperson of the Conservative Ward One in the United Kingdom (UK), Mercy Gilberte, has identified youths as key drivers to unlock Nigeria’s economic potential.
She highlighted education, minerals, agriculture, and tourism as areas she would like to invest in, adding that tourism is one of Nigeria’s untapped economically viable sectors.
Briefing newsmen in Abuja on Friday, the Zimbabwean born emphasized the importance of understanding the problems facing Nigerians from those directly affected.
Gilberte was hosted by the president, Global Migration Research Institute, GMRI, who is also the president, UNESC Foundation, Dr. Azuma Ijoma Williams.
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Among other major stakeholders She has met, she recently forged a partnership with the National Youth Council (NYC).
Furthermore, she will be collaborating with the raw materials under the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, paving the way for innovative breakthroughs.
She said: “I think it’s essential to analyze the problems first,” she said. “Yesterday, I met with a medical doctor, and we discussed the problems facing Nigerians. As an outsider and a westerner, I don’t fully understand the problems, but I believe that to fix them, you need to understand them from those who are directly affected.”
Gilberte praised the determination and hard work of Nigerians, particularly the youths, whom she believes are the drivers of society and the future.
Furthermore, Gilberte who is also the Chief Executive Officer, British African Business Forum (BABF) expressed her desire to tackle youth unemployment and create jobs through a pilot program in Delta State, aiming to train over one million youths in the next five years.
“The basic areas I’m interested in are education, which is highly important to me because educating people means educating a village, especially women.
“Then there’s power, electricity, renewable energy, water, and tourism. Tourism drives a nation because it comes in different spheres. You can combine tourism and sports, which brings in investment, trade, and various aspects, allowing people to see the country and culture for what it is”, she said.