The Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, has called on the youths in the country to take advantage of the opportunities provided by President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Ndace made the called during his address at the United Nations Social Development Workshop on Thursday in Abuja.
The theme of the workshop is “Social and Economic Dimensions for Strengthening Community Resilience:Accelerating Government and Civil Society Collaboration for Social Development”.
The workshop, put together by Commission for Social Development is in preparation for participation in the 63rd Session of the UN Commission for Social Development.
According to the VON D-G, the Tinubu-led administration is doing a lot for the citizens of Nigeria, especially the youths, because they are the future of the country.
“The President has initiated programmes.like the student loan scheme, business loan for young people and so many others that all the youths in the country are potential beneficiaries.
“I would like to encourage young people to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President to better their lives.
“Dont close your eyes to the opportunities. Don’t be destructive instruments in the hands of those that hate our country. Don’t listen to the unconstructive lamentation to destroy the country.
“As a citizen, you have the right to criticize government policies constructively.
But as you are doing that, also look out for the opportunities; We have to students loan scheme, and other opportunities that are open to younger people,” he said.
Ndace also tasked young people on responsible use of the social media, urging them not to share content that they have not verified on social media.
He charged them to be part of the solutions to Nigerian challenges, adding that we cannot deny that there are no challenges in the country.
He stressed that all countries in the world have their peculiar challenges including Nigeria.
“Still, Nigeria is not the worst conutry in the world, but the question is that, what are you doing to be part of the solution.
“I want to encourage the young people here to see this workshop as a mentoring process for them to learn the ropes and learn the ropes from the older generation.
“Also, as young people, we must understand the importance of investing in not just socio economic development of our society but most importantly investing in our people.
“And by investing in our people, they can take advantage of opportunities and present themselves to the world,” Ndace said.
In her address, the Convener of the Workshop, Ms Ebaide Omiunu stressed that Social Development is the backbone for any society/nation.
Omiunu added that for nations to survive, they must invest in social development, stressing that it could not be eroded or watered down.
“In the world today, over 700 million people are living in abject poverty and there there about 300 million out of school children.
“In this statistics, Africa has the largest number. Maternal health care has been an issue in Africa, including Nigeria.
“Today, Norway can boost of 90 per cent literacy rate, because they invested in social development, same thing with Rwanda that has 90 per cent access to good health and 64 percent female representation in the parliament.
“These achievements should encourage us as a country; we cannot water down social development. It is very important,” She stressed.
The event attracted officials from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ministry of Women Affairs, VON, Public Office Holders Association of Nigeria, Cross River Government and others.
