Advisor for Information Technology & Communication, Science & Technology and New & Renewable Energy, Mmhonlumo Kikon, Saturday stressed the need for a conceptual change in people’s perception of employment so as to address the unemployment issue in the state.
Speaking at the 13th general session of the Highway Area Sümi Students Union (HASSU), which was held on the theme “Ghicheghime lono akiqheu shilu cheni” (through hardship to the stars), Mmhonlumo said the distance a person had to cover from unemployability to becoming employable depends on a good choice of career.
“It begins with the preliminary career guidance which is now readily available at the school level or mostly at home where concerned parents discuss the future with their children,” said Mmhonlumo.
Without proper guidance in initial stage of education, the advisor said the person could become educated yet unemployable in the available job market-both government and private sectors.
He pointed out that increase of educated unemployed youths affected the society immensely. Mmhonlumo, therefore, emphasised the need to change one’s outlook on employability by not only aiming to be a salaried person but opt to venture into entrepreneurship thereby becoming self employed and creating employment opportunities for others also. Buttressing his point, Mmhonlumo said “If you are employed and salaried, you ease the burden of both your parents and the society. But if you take the concept of employment further down the road of entrepreneurship, you not only create jobs for your fellow citizens but add the concept of profit over and above the existing concept of salary.”
“This is fundamental to understanding how small conceptual change in our perceptions will lead to giant progress for the society,” remarked Mmhonlumo.
The advisor said the Naga society at present was in a state of churning, was witnessing many political and social upheavals. However, in the midst of all those, he said the students must ask themselves-”What are the challenges that we face as future leaders”?
From unemployment to good governance, from government jobs to entrepreneurship, Mmhonlumo said, “The process for creating an enabling environment for the youths and harnessing the talents of our youth towards success in various fields, the task before us is the responsibility of every citizen of this state.”
He maintained that any solution to those issues must begin with understanding the problems and analyse it based on available facts and figures.
The programme was chaired by Mughato Aye and Angukali Awomi, invocation by Sümi Baptist Akükühou Diphupar Pastor Rev Toniho Kiho, welcome address by HASSU president, Abovi K Awomi and vote of thanks by HASSU ex president, Vikato S Aye.