Tujazz Tasks Nigerian Youth On Vocational Training  

Nigerian youth have been urged to engage in vocational skill learning, which can make them to be self-reliant because job white collar opportunities are now scarce.

This advice was given by a guitarist, Adekoya Babatunde Oluwatobi, who is also known as Tujazz.

Oluwatobi, who is a Nigerian guitarist and musical coach, stated that it is better that the youth were committed to what they can do for themselves rather than relying on what government can do for them.

He said he felt disturbed when he see some young persons loitering about.

Tujazz, who has carved a niche for himself in the musical industry, urged the youth to be mindful of the fact that time and tide wait for no one, so they should act fast why the opportunity avail itself.

The musical coach, who claimed he has mentored and tutored hundreds of guitar players and musicians in Nigeria and beyond, stated that he’s happy when people develop an interest in learning one skill or the other.

He, therefore, suggested that government can overhaul the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) which was introduced in the 80s to train the youth in skill acquisition since white collar jobs were scarce.

He explained that his music has gained wider acceptability, recognised and enjoyed by different generations.

An indigene of Ijebu Imodi Imosan in Ogun State, Tujazz said he was born on February 3, 1988 in Ketu, Lagos, and his love for music started when he was 12 year-old and he had the opportunity of playing different musical instruments in the church that he was attending.

Tujazz explained that in 2010, he was trained on how to tutor children with spacial needs (autism) in musical instrument from Masha Music Academy Lekki, Lagos, where he was also trained to teach children from tender age in music theory and how to play various musical instruments.

Oluwatobi said he made a distinction in music theory Grade 5 from Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) and also a National Diploma in Music from MUSON merit in music theory from Association Board of Royal School of Music (ABRSM), London and also he obtained merit in classical guitar Grade 5 from (ABRSM).

He stated that he also obtained BSc in computer science from Lagos State University in 2012.

Adekoya also known for his dexterous approach to jazz music infused with highlife licks has shared stage with top league Artists in Nigeria and diaspora such as Olamide Badoo, Tiwa Salvage, Cobhams Asoquo, Niniola, Teniola, Adekunle Gold, Yemi Alade and Laolu Gbenjo, and many more.

According him, he has been on many recording projects to a lot of well-known gospel music artists

Adekoya explained that he has performed on international stage and recently he just finished his American Tour where he played in cities like California, New York, New Jersey, Atlanta Georgia, Dalas Texas, Houston, and many more.

He said he is currently preparing for his album that will be launched soon alongside with a book for beginners and intermediates on music.