President Bola Tinubu’s proposed national youths conference on Tuesday received the endorsement of a Youth organization in Abuja, which vowed to participate in the conference to present a road map for socio-economic development of the country.
Acting under the aegis of Youth Activation Conference with the theme: “Activation Conference, Wake up, Smell the Coffee”, the Convener, Comrade Dennis Agbeti said his group would take advantage of Tinubu’s proposed conference to present the government with a Youth Development Vision.
Speaking at one-day youth conference at Merit House, Abuja, Agbeti said the proposed 30-day conference by President Tinubu would be an eye opener for Nigerian youths as they would have opportunity to present a common from for the growth and development of the country.
Agbeti decried lack of trust between Nigerian leaders and the youths, saying that it was the reason the youths are leaving the country in large numbers in the name of “Japa “.
He said though many Nigerian youth have lost hope given the present situation, the proposed youth conference by the government would be a platform for Nigerian youths to communicate directly with the present leadership and chat the way forward.
“We have had opportunities before, even our current challenges are opportunities, none have been as promising as the 30-day Youth Confab. I don’t know much about the aim of the conference, however, it is a good starting point for the conversation, because leaders need to communicate with the young people.
“There is silence and when there is no communication, there will be confusion, ignorance and misinformation. If leaders can communicate, a conference is a starting point and should be encouraged.
“Unfortunately, it appears the youth have lost confidence in the leadership. But if organisations, institutions, individuals can take responsibility even before thinking about the government, it will transcend to institutions and flow to the society at large.
“So if youth bodies can come together and present certain ideas and policies to the government and trust that government can take responsibility and implement those policies, it should be encouraged,” Agbeti said.
He however said that there is need for a clear vision for the country from Mr President and his team, saying the President should let Nigerians know where the country is heading in the next ten years.
“In most advanced nations, their leaders take out time to create clear roadmap for the nation and that will, first set a direction and once there is vision, a lot of things starts getting activated.
“Vision creates hope, vision creates direction, it creates purpose and sense of responsibility and the government needs to start with that so that will be an awakening of responsibilities, government needs to start creating enabling environment for young people because environment is very critical, “Agbeti further stated.
The keynote speaker, Ayokunnu Oyeniyi, said, “Running abroad doesn’t matter; what matters is that same principles that are applicable wherever you want to go to. So we have the same principles that are applicable here in Nigeria.
“What this conference is about is to activate their minds such that they appreciate and embrace those principles that will guarantee their success.
“Because as they say a lizard in Nigeria cannot become an alligator elsewhere. So same principles responsible for success here in Nigeria are also applicable abroad. So whether home or abroad; what is important is that live your best live and become the best version of yourself,” Oyeniyi said.
