To ensure that Nigerian youths in the Diaspora thrive, the Governor, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Europe Chapter, Collins Idahosa, has urged them to take advantage of untapped potential and wealth creation opportunities in the countries they reside.

He urged the youth to challenge their mindsets and think positively towards harnessing such opportunities.

Idahosa spoke at the first historic discussion between Nigerian ambassadors in Europe and the country’s youths in the Diaspora themed, ‘Turning Challenges to Opportunities to Become Good Nigerian Ambassadors in Europe’, held at Cambridge University.

He noted that the event was the first time the European Youth Council organised a discussion of that nature, noting that while NYCN is not new, its European branch is just evolving.

He added that the event was an avenue to offer a veritable platform for Nigerian youths in Europe to engage them with issues that concern their wellbeing and also contribute to national discourse.

“We are all aware that young people in general are bursting with ideas, energies and abilities to make things happen. They are never bereft of creative ideas. Furthermore, the youth constitute a significant proportion of the country’s population,” he said.

Idahosa said that NYCN was striving to bring the youth together, harmonise their agenda and support their quests for the attainment of a Nigeria of their dreams, adding that through the platform, the youth can gain a voice and contribute their quotas to national discourse and development.

“Some young Nigerians found their way to Europe and other parts of the world for greener pastures in what we now call the ‘Japa syndrome’. I am sure that they never lost connection to their roots. Many of them remain connected through news platforms, social media, family ties, investments, remittances and others to their root. It can be safely argued that some Nigerians in Europe follow developments in Nigeria than some Nigerians at home. This shows that the Nigerian youth in the Diaspora remain involved in the events and happenings in Nigeria and are willing to be a part of the struggle,” he said.

He noted that the discussion provided an opportunity to dissect issues and rub minds on issues that concern both the youth and the country.

Idahosa added: “Obviously when we say that our dear country is bedevilled with several challenges, it is not accurate to state that the challenges transcend our collective understanding. The truth is that every country, including the ones we all currently live in, faces a measure of its challenges. What makes the difference between these countries and Nigeria is how they deal with their challenges. I am of the view that if we get our acts together as a nation, we can overcome these challenges within the shortest time possible. And I believe that the youth, especially those in the Diaspora, have an important part to play in dealing with this problem.”

He congratulated the Minister of Youth Affairs, Dr. Jamie Ibrahim, and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, on their appointments, stating that he was confident they would deliver on their assignments.