JCI tasks youths on nation building

Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria has urged youths to engage in training and leadership opportunities to lead the world in a new direction and do extraordinary things for their country.

President, JCI, Abiola Olorunisola, stated the need for youths not to consider the challenges confronting the nation currently as government responsibility alone but rather play their part in offering sustainable solutions.

While speaking with journalists in Lagos during JCI’s 49th yearly national convention, Olorunisola also urged the government to be intentional in involving the youths in strategic positions in governance, saying the future is now.

He noted that if the youths were given the right tools and opportunities, there were chances they would create transformational change.

Olorunisola added that it was time the government stopped the era of appointing a 55-year old person as youth leader and allow the younger ones to participate in governance, while urging the youths to stop the culture of apportioning blames to the government and be active, involved and be engaged in meaningful ventures that would better their lots.

He said: “Junior Chamber International Nigeria was established over 60 years ago with a clear mission to serve humanity. ‘Service to humanity is the best work of life’ – These are words found in our creed, a creed written over 100 years ago but for which we hold so strongly today.

“As members, we all share this sense of purpose and the initiative to take action, however small or big. That is why we don’t just see these challenges confronting the nation today as just a responsibility for the government alone, but rather, we as young people and as an organisation have a role to play in providing sustainable solutions to these challenges.

“Through our numerous projects, opportunities and programmes across the nation, JCI Nigeria has itself walked the talk by being part of the solutions and uniquely playing her part in nation building. Our members across the country have come together this year to execute projects close to 300 in different areas such as health, education and business support initiatives for entrepreneurs.

“As an organisation, we have tremendous faith in young people’s ability to create transformational change when they are provided with the right tool and opportunities and importantly, that is why all year, we have led conversations around bringing young people from diverse backgrounds together to advance a common purpose.”