FORMER president Olusegun Obasanjo, today urged Nigerian youths to take part in initiatives that would change the perception of Africa.
According to Obasanjo, such involvement would prevent those who are ruining their future from succeeding and would also ensure a better future for the younger generation.
He stated this during the third presidential youth mentorship retreat in Abeokuta, Ogun State, which was hosted by the Youth Development Center of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL).
Obasanjo observed that “in most parts of Africa, there are apparent hurdles and not sodiscernible barriers militating against the actualization of the latent potentials of the African youth” in his speech on the theme “Removing Barriers against Youth.”
Obasanjo who was represented by the Deputy Chief Coordinator of OOPL, Dr. Ayodele Aderinwale, stated that the biggest challenge to successfully removing the barrier is “the attitudinal disposition and orientation of the young people.”
He urged young people to never allow another person to determine or influence their place within society.
He said that if our children are desperate enough to accept to trek across the desert in search of menial jobs in Europe, then their strength, passion, and energy should be directed toward the eradication of all barriers, both physical and mental.
Obasanjo said, “The villagization of the globe has rendered geographical barriers largely irrelevant. The movement towards a knowledge economy has also meant that proper nuancing eliminates barriers. In essence economic opportunities have become transborder in nature and manifestation. There are enormous opportunities for private initiatives at the national and global economic space.
“The young people should demand vociferously that our governments must enhance enabling entrepreneurial environment for young people is also a key to unleashing a culture of entrepreneurship among the youth.
“As this will have a broader impact in promoting sustainable development and addressing the barriers that specifically hinder young people like yourself to be economically empowered. Such empowerment will not only improve the individual life but also affect their community positively as they will serve as an agent of wealth creation.
“In conclusion, I am challenging you as young Africans to engage in activities that would change the African narrative by participating fully in all the socio-economic and political activities that guarantee a better future for you and not allowing those who are messing up your future to succeed.”
The YDC-OOPL Chairperson, Dr. Bisi Kolapo advised the youths to continuously enhance their leadership abilities in order to assume their proper roles in governance.
Kolapo also emphasised that the youths have a divine mandate to dominate, be fruitful and replenish in anywhere they find themselves.
