To boost education and improve Nigerian youths’ quality of life, a business tycoon and writer, Babatunde George, popularly known as Sri George, has provided vision board and other education expeditions for Secondary School students.
Speaking during a press briefing held recently in Lagos, George said the “focus is to encourage formal education among young ones, who would grow to become leaders in the future.
“We want to change the narrative among these young ones, by improving their reading culture, which has become very poor. In recent times, youths are more enthusiastic about going into entertainment rather than concentrate on education. Based on this, we are using suitable means to improve their interest in education.”
He continued: “The target is to ensure that people, especially the youths, are in a better state of mind and environment for them to be productive. It’s all about upgrading human consciousness and awareness. This is the reason we are targeting secondary school students. We are going to enlighten them about legal ways of making money, which is something that I have always done.
“Considering how the youths are attracted to anything visual, we are donating vision boards and personal development books. We are going to these schools to talk to them about vision boards. We are also paying school fees for those whose parents can’t afford in Lagos, Oyo and Edo states. We are going to enlighten these students about legal ways of making money to help young students believe that they live in a world of opportunities.”
He, however, spoke on the need for youth to fully participate in politics, as this is their right both as citizens of Nigeria and the future leaders of the country. According to him, although it is too expensive for youths to start up a political party in Nigeria, as they do not have the resources, they can come together to influence the current political parties as they have the numbers to influence the current existing political parties.
“They should mobilise themselves and come together to make a demand on the leader of the country. Politicians know the implications of youths coming together, which is why they create a divide. I believe if youth want Nigeria to be great, they must participate in politics and in large numbers. I believe the youths are capable of leadership, but before they can take over these positions, they need some experience from these elderly politicians, especially the godfathers. The truth is, godfather politics in Nigeria will be difficult to crack due to the fact that politics is about experience and youths would have to learn the craft from these godfathers. They must engage in politics, show up, mobilise themselves, and pressurise people that can make it happen. It is only individual emancipation that can lead to Nigeria’s emancipation. We have to bring the consciousness of business into politics.”
He continued: “The idea is to change the narrative of wealth for better. A lot of people have the perception that it is almost impossible to be wealthy through honest living so they get into illegal deals. This is also an issue of leadership as these vices are happening because of failure of leadership.”
