Speaking on the theme of the celebration, ‘Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages’ in Owerre, the Imo State capital, Governor Hope Uzodimma stated that no amount of investment made on the Nigerian youths was a waste.
He held that youths were the greatest asset any society could boast of, stressing that as future leaders, they must not be toyed with.
His words: “As leaders of tomorrow, no investment made in our youth is misplaced. And such investment cannot also be said to be enough. For us, therefore, we will continue to invest in our youth in Imo State believing that we will reap the full benefits one day. Youths are the leaders of tomorrow.”
Speaking in the same vein, the Executive Director of Action Health Incorporated, Adenike Esiet, said the commemoration was an attempt to draw attention to issues that affect youth development and opportunities to prosper.
“Specifically, this year’s theme, Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages, presents a great opportunity for actors in this field and young people to recognise the importance of building solidarity, understanding and willingness to help one another for the general good,” she said.
She urged the youth and older generation to enhance societal development, saying: “Young people have the advantage of fresh and creative ideas, energy and ability to work for success and it is important that adults acknowledge this. In the very same way, the young people need to recognise the resources that older people bring to the table.”
Esiet called on the government to focus on education, not just limited to a school environment, but also ensuring that everyone has an enabling environment to learn.
On his part, the Country Director of Plan International, Usie Emmamuzou, blamed lack of planning and short-sightedness as reasons a youth might not become the president of Nigeria anytime soon.
Emmamuzou, who spoke yesterday in Abuja at an event organised by Africado Foundation to celebrate this year’s IYD, maintained that young persons in the country were too fixated on the office of the president, usually wanting instant indulgence without proper and adequate planning.
He said: “One of the challenges with the Not Too Young To Run movement is that not many young Nigerians are aspiring for the office of the counsellor or local government chairmen, but they want to be President. It does not work like that; it takes planning and timing and it is all a gradual process.
“The young ones are usually short sighted with plans and want immediate gratification and it doesn’t always work like that. Though it may work for some people in the short term but if you study any successful organisation or individual, you will find out that none of them had shortened the process.”
Similarly, the Executive Director of Godspeed Leadership and Mentorship Development Initiative (GLEMDI), Mr. Habila Kayit, called on youths to be intentional in the area of politics and governance by joining political parties.
Kayit, who made the call in a statement yesterday, said that celebrating the United Nations International Youth Day was a time for re-evaluation and renewed approach on leadership, governance and developmental strategies that would guarantee a better society.
He said that youths unarguably occupy the largest demography of the global population and advised them to join political parties and be active players.
“Youths must seek leadership position and serve with dignity and honour. The system must create friendly policies and level playing ground for youths to compete with people of all ages.
“Going by the theme of the International Youth Day 2022, it is pertinent to note that no demography can survive on its own other than inter-dependence on each age bracket to build a sustainable growth and maintain a progressive index. The place of knowledge and experience is not negotiable; the Nigerian youth must subject themselves to learning and mentorship,” he said.
Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of Cross River House of Assembly, Joseph Bassey, urged youths in the country to be innovative and industrious in actualising their set goals.
In a statement yesterday in Calabar, Bassey noted that the youth population in the country was massive, hence the need for them to be innovative.
He noted that there was need for leaders to collaborate and foster successful and intergenerational relations and partnerships with youths to ensure no one would be left behind.
He added: “Today, I wish to felicitate heartily with the young people around the world, particularly youths of my immediate federal constituency on the 2022 occasion of the International Youth Day.
“The theme is to achieve the Sustainable Developmental Goals and leverage on full potential of all generations. Solidarity across generations is the key for sustainable development.
“Youth involvement has moved forward tremendously and it’s no longer seen as a rebellious act, the way it was few decades ago.”
The deputy speaker said the younger generation had realised that they were ready to positively explore their full potential
on the political, economic and environmental challenges.
He added: “As a fellow youth, one of my priorities is the inclusion of youths in governance, where their potential would be seen in political, economic and entrepreneurial activities.
“As we mark this special day, I look forward to partnering with youth groups and associations on how we can advance the youth agenda together to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. The youths are `change makers’ and their contributions are essential toward the growth and development of this country.”
Commissioner for Youths Development and Skills Acquisition in Cross River State, Mr. Signor Idiege, also advised youths in the country to shun vices, describing them as positive change makers.
Idiege stated this while fielding questions from newsmen in commemoration of the IYD 2022 in Calabar.
He urged the youth to disallow a few mischief-makers from using them as crises peddlers, saying, “they are the future of the state and indeed the nation.”
He added: “Governance of the state will soonest be your responsibility and so, you ought to be prepared for it. While the 2023 general election draw closer, I will advise you as youths to distinguish yourselves as agents of positive change and as those who have recognised the importance of youthfulness in development of the society.
“I appeal to you to shun all forms of thuggery and vices. Pursue your dreams with all diligence and you will see yourselves soaring in success,” he said.
