Youths have been enjoined to harness their potential, energy and creativity to contribute to the socio-economic growth of the country.
The call was made at the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria Youth Conference with the theme: Transforming education; rethinking the present.
According to JCI National President Adetola Juyitan, youths have significant roles to play in providing the solutions to the problem of inclusiveness and access to quality education across the country, regardless of their backgrounds.
She said: “Youths must begin to embrace a digital mindset if they are really interested in causing any change in our society. They all must rise above their present holdbacks and challenge themselves to take on new actionable ideas that are in tune with the reality of the present age.”
A major highlight of the event, held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos in commemoration of this year’s International Youth Day, was the celebration of 10 brilliant young Nigerians with diverse contributions to the development of the country.
Popular music artiste Folarin Falana, known by his stage name Falz, and founder of LifeBank, Temie Giwa-Tubosun made the list of JCI Nigeria Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP). The list featured honorees in different categories which include “Personal Development Award”, “Scientific and Technological Development Award”, and “Medical Innovation”.
Falz and Giwa-Tubosun were adjudged the winners of the Cultural Achievement and Medical Innovation categories. Falz was praised for his brand of rap music, while Giwa-Tubosun, Nigerian-American health manager, for founding a business enterprise in Nigeria working to improve access to blood transfusions in the country.
Other honorees included Adeola Adefemi, Glory Osei, Naomi Ekpoki, Folarin Falana (Falz), Oluwaseun Osowobi, Temie Giwa-Tubosun, Bilikis Adebiyi-Abiola, Lauretta Onye, Samson Itodo and Onyeka Akumah.
Commending them for their dedication and perseverance, despite all odds, Juyitan urged other youths to borrow a leaf from the awardees in putting Nigeria on the world map.
Ogun State Governor’s wife Mrs Bamidele Abiodun applauded the Ten Outstanding Young Persons for their optimism. She urged them to remain committed to the country’s development, striving for self-development and finding innovative ways to positively make an impact.
She stated that providing equal opportunities for the education of the youth is the core of her personal project as well as the one of the focus of the state’s administration led by her husband, Mr Dapo Abiodun, while adding that she is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 of the United Nation (UN).
Mrs Abiodun also commended JCI Nigeria for its contribution towards youth development in Nigeria despite the overwhelming challenges.
Also, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Ketil Karlsen made an urgent call-to-action for every youth to ensure that inclusive and equitable access to education was made possible to everyone by the digital age.
On his part, Director, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Nigeria, Robert Kayanda, revealed that the commemoration of the historic day, which has been ongoing for 20 years, forms part of United Nations agenda to support the youth.
According to him, “the choice of the theme was timely given that United Nations as an organisation was already making effort to ensure that Nigeria’s education system is fit for the digital age”.
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