A Nigerian youth leadership advocacy group, the Society for the Promotion of Ethical and Transparent Leadership (SPETLeadershipAfrica) on Monday reiterated the need to fast-track implementation of youth programmes for Nigeria’s national development.
The Convener of the group, Mr Eze Onyekachi, made the call in Lagos tagged, “Fix Nigeria:Youth is the Missing Link”, to mark the 2021 African Youth Celebration Day.
The theme of the edition is: “Building the African We Want in Arts, Culture, Heritage, Innovation and Entrepreneurial.”
The African Youth Celebration Day, set aside by the African Union for all African governments to recognise their youths, is celebrated on Nov. 1 annually.
According to Onyekachi, the day was created with hopes of sensitising each government to prioritise the protection of youth against slavery, discrimination, and violence.
“Now that the youths are ready to support Nigeria to grow with their unlimited and incredible potentials, it is the time for the nation to make the best use of it.
“On behalf of the Nigerian youths; SPETLeadershipAfrica hereby renews its clamour for the Nigerian government to create a ‘National Youth Day’ for the youths to harmonise their ideologies.
“This will help youths to re-focus, re-invigorate, re-orientate and re-educate themselves for better possibilities and greater values,” he said.
He said that with the 67 per cent youth population, Nigeria has the advantage of being an economic power in the global world.
“We implore Mr President, all political leaders, traditional leaders, civil society leaders and all professional leaders of Nigeria to lead the way for the youths of Nigeria.
“The youths want to play their part in the positive enhancement and civic life of the masses and all tiers of class structure in Nigeria for the good of all,” he added.
According to him, while some African nations have special dates to celebrate and discuss issues that are central to the existence of their youths, the Nigerian youths had none.
According to him, countries like Angola has declared April 14 as its National Youth Day, South Africa declared June 16; Cameroon, February 11; Morocco, August 21; Zambia, March 12; Tunisia March 21; and Democratic Republic of Congo, Feb. 8.
The convener, however, called on the Nigerian youths to begin to participate in the act of ‘Nation Building’ by educating, propagating and promoting the words of the national anthem to the uneducated ones among them.
He said that this had become imperative since the youth had decided to serve their country in the most appropriate, acceptable and viable way as directed by both their constitution and its national anthem.
Onyekachi said that the aim of the Nigerian youths should be to institute periodic national interactions to canvas issues germane to the consolidation of Nigeria’s unity.
According to him, their strategy should be to encourage themselves as community youth leaders across the country to continue to spread the message of love and hope in the spirit of patriotism.
He however decried that young people across Nigeria were facing increasingly tough times, unemployment, scarce opportunities among others hindering their innovation and talents.
“We feel totally elated to let the world know that no doubt, the Nigerian youths had stood up for what’s right for them and their country and had demonstrated a high level of patriotism to defend their beloved nation,” he added.
Onyekachi said that the group used the commemoration to honour its patron, Late Mohammed Fawehinmi, saying they were planning the event together before his demise on Aug. 11.
Also speaking, Mr Olujimi Jiboye, the group’s consultant said that Nigerian youths needed the collaboration of public and private sectors to help them actualise their dreams and aspirations of creating Nigeria of their dreams.
Jiboye charged every stakeholder, including the well-meaning Nigerians and civil society organisations, to come together in creating platforms for youths to bring in innovations in arts, cultural heritage, and entrepreneurs to reposition the country.
According to him, all stakeholders should prioritise ending youth restiveness through policies and programmes targeted at hunting and developing talents.
Jiboye, who noted that Nigeria had huge untapped talented youths, called the political leaders not to pay lip service to the matters of youths in order to actualise the nation’s dream.
