Kunle Adelabu
Comrade Olalekan Biliamin Oba, the State Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), has charged that sustained development of youths should be the focus of the government and politicians in Nigeria if they are to be made productive and contribute to nation building.
Oba stated that the many empowerment schemes that have existed have not really impacted on the youths whom he said are the future of the state and the country, while he also called for sustained efforts through skill acquisition, entrepreneurship among others as better ways to develop the youths.
In his Independence Day’s statement, Comrade Oba also charged youths to realize that the greatness of the county is dependent on them.
“As youths, it is understandable that our exuberance is a natural phenomenon but it can be channeled towards rebuilding the nation. We have the energy, potential, innovation and technology to drive the economy, only if we want to.
“Any Nation craving for development and not engaging its youths prudently, cannot be taken seriously, hence, a clarion call to the youths to take the bull by the horns. The youths must move beyond social media criticisms and get involved across levels to make the nation great again.
“What many Public Office holders engage the youths in is empowerment which ultimately produces Okada, Marwa etc, although not out of context, provided it is beneficial to the recipients but the puzzle is the sustainability and growth projection of the beneficiaries, four years later”, he said.
“Many a times, they end up back to square one as a result of wants not meeting needs.
“However, youth development should surface more in terms of skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, leadership and vocational trainings which will oil the productivity wheel of the nation”, Oba said.
He stated that youths must be able to take the bull by the horns and contribute to the socio – economic and political developments of the country instead of waiting on the government to do everything for them.
“Don’t just be a critic; those lofty ideas are essential to the growth of the nation. Contribute your quota. Don’t wait to be handed over the spoon, go for it and see history smile at you.
“As Nigerian youths, we cannot but agree that the nation sojourn in the next 60 years lies solely on our shoulders and we cannot afford to fail.
“I belong to the school of thought that it’s not the duty of the government to feed you as citizens but empower you with enabling the environment to thrive. This will boost the youthfulness in the youths and make them self-sufficient.
“Contrary to reports globally, Nigeria has young people doing great things and are making us proud too. These young and distinguished personalities should be our face in the International communities”.
The youth leader also charged millions of Nigerians not to continue to see the Independence Day celebrations as annual rituals, but an opportunity to reflect and chart a practical way forward towards a great nation.
He called for a change of mindset and attitudes on the part of leaders and the led to have a better Nigeria.
“It’s another reflection moment for my beloved country, Nigeria. Like an annual ritual, we are remembering the struggles that birthed our freedom from Colonialism and supremacy over our sovereignty some 60 years ago.
“We are quick to identify the ills and constraints of our nationhood every October 1st but quite difficult to remediate the challenges. We rather consign the feelings to the dustbin until another Independence celebration”, he said.
“Leadership or governance criticism has become a habit that has beclouded us from charting a way forward in the country.
“Are we getting it right? The answer is still very far from yes.
“I think we all need to start changing our mindset, particularly our orientations on the possibilities of Nigeria getting better again.
“Understandably, maladministration and mis-governance have made it almost a taboo to trust and love the nation again but chopping off the head can never be a cure for the headache.
“Even, when the intention looks promising and productive, skepticism still erupts in the minds of Nigerians, making it herculean to sincerely lead and govern aright.
“Nature sometimes has a way of resetting a nation for good, or otherwise, depending on the people, which is one of what the deadly disease, Corona virus has come to do.
“Nation building must continue at all cost, regardless of the hurdles. Let’s have a rethink, re-adjust and re-install our mindset for greater achievements”.
