Experts task youths on finding solutions to Africa’s challenges

Africans, especially the youths must look inward and work concertedly to solve the challenges the continent is grappling with, as foreigners cannot solve the issues in Africa.

This was the central submission of speakers at a summit organised by a Non-Governmental Organisation, Africa for Africa Initiative.

The NGO whose founder is the popular preacher, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is at the forefront of mentoring youth in the country to position them for a prosperous continent.

At the event with the theme, ‘Constitutional Conference,’ the speakers enlightened the youths on opportunities to be explored to unleash their potentials, as they enjoined youths in Nigeria and on the continent to desist from massive migration abroad for greener pastures (japa) because there are opportunities waiting to be tapped in Nigeria.

In his opening remark, the CEO of Africa for Africa Initiative, Henry Akasili said the essence of the conference is “To help us build the future of Africa. Africa is rich in talent despite the challenges. Politics pulled us back and limited our potential. We need solutions to this discourse, there must be the transformation of our youth.

“The youth are not only the future but the present, their creativities and energies are what Africa need to grow. We change the socio-political landscape of our people.”

He therefore asked the participants to keep an open mind with determination to excel.

An entrepreneur, Dr Benjamin Ubido, noted that: “We have so many opportunities in Africa and in Nigeria what hinders us is based on the knowledge and available information we have.”

He explained that, if the population of Nigeria is considered vis-a-vis the available crude oil, the country is having just a drop in comparison with other oil-producing nations.

The businessman, therefore, advised the youth to leverage their potential in agriculture, saying food is vital in any nation around the world.

He lamented that everyone has portrayed farmers as poor but argued that opportunities are awaiting the youth in the agricultural sector to be able to make it in life.

He stressed that the minimum amount spent on food monthly in Nigeria is N6 trillion, adding that youth should go into agriculture to rise economically.

“I realize that the challenges we have in our young people is lack of information, pride and laziness and everyone wants to work from home,” he argued.

Citing example of cassava, Ubido maintained that the crop is being exported due to high demand for it, saying farmers are being pictured wrongly.

Deacon Armstrong Oyakhilome, who was a former staff of World Bank, spoke on the career progression in civil service as one of the available opportunities for youth to develop themselves.

“For you to be in the civil service, it takes care of all disciplines. Without civil servants, no government can function because civil service is the engine room, the brainbox of every government,” he noted.

A former member of the House of Representatives, Sergius Ogun, encouraged the youth to pick interest in politics, saying they have opportunities to make it.

He, however, stated that the youth would have to create a niche in their local communities to position themselves for the leadership role.

“There is a niche market that you can create which must be identified. You have to begin to sow seeds today,” Ogun said.