NGO urges Govt. to restore youth hope
By Our Correspondent
Mr Ayokunnu Ojeniyi, Founder of the Future Pathways Development Initiative (NGO), has urged all levels of government to inspire young Nigerians to believe in the nation and revive hope in the Nigerian dream.
Ojeniyi made the call in Abuja during the Policy Conference for Youth themed “Rethinking National Unity: Governance Reforms for Strengthening Social Cohesion in Nigeria.”
“Let us have our own Nigerian dream, where every young person can aspire and become whoever they want to be, irrespective of their background,” he said.
He said the initiative was designed to inspire youth to proffer evidence-based policy solutions to critical national issues.
He explained that the conference would also feature the grand finale of a policy challenge award.
“More than 800 young Nigerians from across the six geopolitical zones participated in this year’s initiative.
“Some of them will be awarded cash prizes and internships at the forum for exemplary performances in proposals on youth-inclusive paradigms across all sectors,” Ojeniyi said.
He encouraged the youth to cultivate the habit of hard work and remain focused in order to build a better future.
Ojeniyi noted that the goal of the initiative was to raise national consciousness, reminding young Nigerians that they did not have to wait for tomorrow to achieve their dreams.
To sustain the programme, he announced plans to visit universities and tertiary institutions to keep young people engaged and provide them with opportunities to serve in government.
“We are launching our own fellowship programme.
“That fellowship will embed young people in government offices where they can learn and become useful, productive members of society,” he added.
Ojeniyi disclosed that 840 teams initially registered for the policy competition.
“We narrowed it down and 140 individuals submitted policy proposals, and from those, we selected three finalists.
“They presented today, and the winners received their prizes,” Ojeniyi said.
He acknowledged that although the environment might be challenging, young people still have the potential to succeed.
“If we keep emphasising how bad the environment is and claim young people can’t succeed, we’re only paving the way for worse outcomes,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Dapo Oyewole, Special Adviser on Development Planning and International Affairs to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, emphasised the need to restore hope in Nigeria’s youth.
“There is no future without the youth. We must empower them to rise as far as their hearts can take them,” he said.
Oyewole urged leaders to cultivate national pride and aspiration among young Nigerians.
“As leaders, we must give young Nigerians a reason to dream. The same dream that is possible in America can be a Nigerian dream too,” he said.
He further encouraged young people to continuously invest in personal growth and education.
“Invest in yourself. Success matters to the world when it’s built on the investments you’ve made in your own personality,” Oyewole said.(https://newsatlarge.ng)
