Rafiu Olaore addressed an audience of over 300 youth as a guest speaker at the orientation program for procurement and supply chain management students at Osun State Polytechnic Iree in Nigeria on 17 March 2025.
During his address, Rafiu commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for its initiative in introducing entrepreneurship education, which aims to equip students with managerial, leadership, and innovative skills necessary for securing gainful employment opportunities.
Rafiu characterised the alarming rate of youth unemployment as a substantial threat to societal peace, emphasising the need for immediate intervention. Rafiu quoted the adage, “A hungry man is an angry man,” to illustrate the potential consequences of unemployment.
He referenced the United Nations’ focus on disaster risk management, outlining its four primary functions: Disaster Mitigation, Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Response, and Disaster Recovery. Rafiu urged the youth to proactively address the unemployment crisis and prepare for job uncertainties after attaining their college degrees. He advocated for exploring legitimate means of livelihood as viable alternatives to traditional white-collar employment.
Furthermore, Rafiu encouraged young individuals to leverage their academic qualifications to create meaningful employment opportunities. He posited that they should seek to resolve societal challenges as entrepreneurs by identifying gaps in the market, acquiring skills aligned with their passions, and securing adequate mentorship for successful ventures.
He subsequently orchestrated a workshop on Capacity Building and Business Plan Development tailored for marketing students at the institution. During this workshop, participants leveraged their innovative skill sets to explore pathways for meaningful employment.
In addition, Rafiu Olaore recommended that youth engage in volunteer services to develop innovative and practical solutions to pressing global issues. He appealed to the government and other relevant stakeholders to foster a conducive business environment and establish regulatory frameworks supporting entrepreneurship development.
Video Link: https://youtu.be/qLrlE9F6nQ8?si=oMm7RVzuzhrvmzQD
Rafiu Akinpelu Olaore is the
Founder/Executive Director of Youths Enterprise Development & Innovation Society (YEDIS).
Africa Western and Central Regions Representative at the World Bank Group-IMF Civil Society Policy Forum Working Group, USA (2024-2026). Â
British Council StudyUK 2025 Social Action Award Finalist in Nigeria. Â
United Nations (UNCTAD) Community Builder Award Winner, 2025. Â
British Council Certified Professional in Intercultural Communication Skills, 2024.
2020 Ambassador Award, World Literacy Foundation.
2020 Professional Member, International Council for Small Business (ICSB), USA.
United Nations Accredited Stakeholder. Â
Melvin Jones Fellow of Lions Clubs International, USA
