By Mustapha Dumbuya
The Government of Sierra through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Youth Affairs have held the first National Youth Employment and Enterpreneurship fair at the Bintumani Conference Hall in Freetown.
During the event, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, the Vice president of the Republic of Sierra Leone, explained to the gathering that National Youth Employment and Enterpreneurship (NYEEF) is part of the broader vision of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio’s Human Capital Development agenda, designed to invest in the young people of Sierra Leone and unleash their true potential.
Dr. Juldeh Jalloh also said that one of the main focus of this event is to bring job seekers and young entrepreneurs face to face with employers and experienced entrepreneurs. It is a place where they can connect with and establish beneficial relationships that may support their future career and business prospects.
He Explained that his government recognised this event as an invaluable experience and vehicle to learn, connect with and take ownership of their future careers.
Shadi Gerjawi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Africell Mobile Company representing the Telecommunications sectors Africell, Orange, Qcell and Seratel, started by thanking the Vice president of the republic of Sierra Leone for putting this initiative together for the betterment of Sierra Leone.
The CEO also said that the Telecommunications sectors is one of the largest job employers both directly and indirectly as well as the largest tax payers and the largest CSR contributors in Sierra Leone.
According to him, he said with the combining work force, the Telecommunications sectors have employed over 1000 youths as employees adding as a sector they were happy to be part of the NYEEF initiative.
Mr Gerjawi explained that the sector is very committed to improving the lives and livelihood of the youths in Sierra Leone and they have not only stopped there, but they have also contributed greatly in the Human capital development agenda of President Julious Maada Bio.
He expressed that the sector had launched foundations, providing learning sectors and E-learning sectors, support sport, youth in entertainment, built schools and several investment in the country.
The CEO cited that the Telecommunications sectors will continue to provide the most needed technology advertisement in telecommunications in the country.
“Our sectors will continue to support the government and provide mutual beneficial relationship for our customers and also continue to support different areas such as education, health, media advocacy Tourism, culture, agriculture, sport and entertainment etc” he said.
